RRUGBYUGBY | Page 4 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 6 Revived Martial strike Scotland end earns United a France’s Grand derby double Slam hopes against City Monday, March 9, 2020 CRICKET Rajab 14, 1441 AH Australia beat GULF TIMES India to win fi ft h T20 World Cup SPORT Page 3 GOLF / COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS Heartbreak for Drysdale as Campillo wins epic playoff Scotsman came close to his first European Tour victory in his 498th event, but Spaniard wins his second title instead By Yash Mudgal Doha o rest for the weary, they say. David Drysdale knows that all too well. A struggle of nearly 21 Nyears and almost 500-odd tourna- ments continues for the Scot as, in fading light at the Education City Golf Club, Spain’s Jorge Campillo prevailed over Drysdale in an epic fi ve-hole playoff to win the Commer- cial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. Campillo had a two-shot lead go- ing into the fi nal two holes, despite a bogey on the 16th. But a double bogey on the 17th and a par on the fi nal hole meant that he was Spain’s Jorge Campillo (right, also left with trophy) celebrates his win over tied with Drysdale at Scotland’s David Drysdale (left) in the playoff for the Commercial Bank Qatar 13-under to push the Masters at Education City Golf Club yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram matters into a playoff for the second time rican Brandon Stone in a playoff in elated Campillo said. in as many weeks. the third edition of the European It is Campillo’s second title, hav- Last week, Sami Tour event. ing won his fi rst European Tour title Valimaki of Fin- Yesterday, Campillo found sand after 229 events at the Trophee Has- land overcame off the tee on the fi rst playoff hole san II in 2019. diffi cult con- but a 25-foot putt brought a birdie “I played not so good on the fi rst ditions to win which Drysdale matched from six few holes and then in the middle of the Oman feet. Another 20-footer brought an- the round I played okay. Apart from Open after other birdie for the Spaniard, with 17, I was solid. You know how the beating Drysdale even closer to the hole than mind works, I wasn’t expecting to South his previous eff ort. The duo could make a bogey on 16, on that tee shot Af- not be separated as they made rou- I was comfortable, but I was a little tine pars on the third and fourth. bit scared of the driver on 17. I missed Continuing to play the 513-yard it there and then I hit a bad putt, I 18th for the fi fth time, another putt don’t normally hit bad putts from off from beyond 20 feet brought Camp- the green. illo a birdie. But the 44-year-old “You have to be patient, you have Scot, whose wife Vicky caddies to try hard. I knew I was going to for him, missed from similar make some putts. It was a tough range for a heart-breaking win but I’m glad I pulled it off ,” the end to his campaign around 33-year-old said. ECGC. “It’s a great par four, 18, a tough It was the fourth time hole. David was hitting some great Drysdale had fi nished shots into the hole and I had to make runner-up. some putts. Three birdies out of six on “I’m just so 18 to win is something to be proud of.” proud right now Earlier, Dane Jeff Winther bogeyed of the way I the 16th and 17th to fi nish one shot played in out of the play-off alongside Swede the play- Niklas Lemke and Finn Kalle Sa- off ,” an mooja. Lemke made birdies on the second, fourth, fi fth, sixth, eighth, 11th, 13th and 14th to surge up the leaderboard but made two late bo- geys in a 65. Samooja holed very long putts on the ninth and 11th in a 69 containing four birdies and two bo- geys. Swede Alexander Bjork was at 11-under, a shot clear of countryman Marcus Kinhult, Italy’s Nino Berta- sio, South African George Coetzee, Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and Eng- land’s Chris Paisley. India’s SSP Chawrasia, a four- time European Tour winner, fi nished tied 28th. LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES 271: Jorge Campillo (ESP) 66-66-67- 72, David Drysdale (SCO) 67-69-64-71 Campillo wins on fifth play-off hole 272: Niklas Lemke (SWE) 68-69-70- 65, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 70-67-66-69, Jeff Winther (DEN) 66-69-65-72 273: Alexander Bjork (SWE) 70-63- 69-71 274: Nino Bertasio (ITA) 72-69-67-66, George Coetzee (RSA) 70-68-69-67, Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 68-65-73-68, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 72-67-63-72, Chris Paisley (ENG) 69-70-67-68 275: Marcus Armitage (ENG) 67-71- 66-71, Lorenzo Gagli (ITA) 66-70-69- 70, Gavin Green (MAL) 70-69-71-65, Scott Jamieson (SCO) 67-68-69-71, Adrien Saddier (FRA) 69-70-67-69 Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 9, 2020 GOLF FOCUS Commercial Bank, ECGC conclude a successful ‘...Qatar Masters is a premier event sponsored by Commercial Bank over the last 15 years and demonstrates Qatar Masters our support to Qatar’s Vision to be a global sports hub’ Qatar Golf Association President Hassan al-Naimi, Qatar Olympic Committee second vice-president Dr Thani al-Kuwari, QOC secretary-general Jassim al-Buenain and other off icials watch the action on the final day of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday. Spain’s Jorge Campillo (second from right) receives the winner’s cheque for his Commercial Bank Qatar Masters victory from Commercial Bank Board member Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad bin Jassim al-Thani, Commercial Bank Group CEO Joseph Abraham (left) and Qatar Golf Association President Hassan al-Naimi (right) at Education City Golf Club yesterday. ommercial Bank, the ti- ment on the European Tour, with the exclusive Commercial Bank to 25 years old had the chance to tle sponsor of the Com- the participation of some of the Majlis which has impeccable learn more about the game, its mercial Bank Qatar world’s top golfers. Commercial views and landscapes. Moreover, techniques and values. Masters, and Education Bank’s sponsorship of the tour- Commercial Bank’s tent show- Additionally, the Bank organ- CCity Golf Club (ECGC) have suc- nament for the 15th consecutive cased several entertainment ised a mini-golf at Doha Festival cessfully concluded a fantas- year provided not only a world- and educational activities for City, thus giving mall-goers the tic golf tournament which took class sporting tournament to vis- the visitors, where children had chance to try out golf and win ex- place at the brand-new course itors, but also a range of exciting the chance to play games while clusive gifts. from March 5-8. hospitality and entertainment for adults could watch the tourna- Through this widespread cam- After what was a truly capti- adults and children. ment and enjoy the atmosphere. paign, Commercial Bank en- vating fi nal day of the European Abraham said: “The Com- During the past month, Com- hanced public knowledge about Tour event, Commercial Bank mercial Bank Qatar Masters is a mercial Bank teamed up with golf and contributed to raising mercial Bank Qatar Masters has lar event have praised our facility to grow the game of golf here Group CEO Joseph Abraham premier European tour golf event ECGC and planned a set of ac- awareness about the sport and proven successful. Our campaign and the outstanding organisation in Qatar and become an active presented Jorge Campillo the sponsored by Commercial Bank tivities and events to raise aware- the internationally-renowned which included numerous ac- of the event.” player in the international tourist esteemed Mother of Pearl tro- over the last 15 years and dem- ness on the tournament and golf tournament. tivations and events has helped Al-Abdulla added: “The event market. And, as we look forward phy, while Board member Sheikh onstrates our support to Qatar’s itself, and create a buzz around Apropos of the tournament the public to get more familiar which was broadcasted on TVs to more successful tournaments Faisal bin Fahad bin Jassim al- Vision to be a global sports hub Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and its dedicated campaign con- with the golf and its spirit. The was fantastic and the social me- in the future, I would like to ex- Thani gave the Spaniard the win- and host to major international 2020. Several visits to schools ducted by the Bank and ECGC, tournament has been an excel- dia exposure has been remark- tend my gratitude to all of our ner’s cheque of USD 291,660. sporting events.” and universities have been or- Commercial Bank Chief Market- lent showcase for Education City able. This tournament provided proud sponsors without whom Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- VIP guests attending the tour- ganised, during which over ing Offi cer Hussein al-Abdulla Golf Club and golf in Qatar, as all us with a unique platform to we wouldn’t have achieved such ters is an annual golf tourna- nament had the chance to visit 9,000 students ranging from 3 said, “For another year, Com- the participants in this spectacu- help us accomplish our mission success.” Gulf Times Monday, March 9, 2020 3 CRICKET FOCUS Australia crush India to win fi ft h T20 world title Lanning: I’M JUST REALLY PROUD OF THIS GROUP OF PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT Healy claims family bragging rights aft er stunning knock Reuters total dismissals in Test cricket, ing top of the runs list with 259 Melbourne would have beamed in pride at an average of 64, the highest when his niece snaffl ed an edge total in the tournament’s seven to remove India’s 16-year-old editions.