LAHORE - Pakistan's M Munir won the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Golf Classic with four stroke lead on Wednesday.
Munir navigated through the final 18 holes with four birdies, one bogey and faced no major trouble in his closing 69 to finish with a 12-under-204, a good four shots ahead of England's Zane Scotland, said an information received here. The Scottish duo of Tom Buchanon and David Law shared the third place on seven-under while England's Tyler Hogarty topped the amateur division, finishing one-over-par 217.
Much was expected from Knight, who trailed Munir by two shots going into the final round, but he quickly handed the initiative away by dropping two shots on the fourth. He kept things interesting with birdie putts on the sixth, 10th, 13th and 14th, but a triple bogey on the 15th blew his hopes as he closed with a disappointing 77 to finish in the middle of the pack. The day simply belonged to Munir who with this victory has become the second Pakistani after Shafiq Masih to achieve the feat on the MENA Golf Tour.
Their success story on this Tour could well signal the start of a healthy rivalry between a clutch of the country's top players who bring their own brand of power, flair and exuberance to the game. "Shafiq's victory in Saudi Arabia last week has changed the mindset of Pakistan players who are now far more pro-active and believe they can win at any level. My win has proved just that new-found confidence," said Munir after receiving the winner's trophy from guest of honour Shaikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of RAK Free Trade Zone.
"The ultimate goal is to win a place in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. One more strong finish and I will be there, God willing," said Munir whose win carried a cash prize of $9,000.
Leading scores after final round: 204: M Munir (Pakistan) 66 69 69; 208: Zane Scotland (England) 71 70 67; 209: David Law (Scotland) 73 67 69; Tom Buchanan (Scotland) 72 68 69; 210: Matloob Ahmed (Pakistan) 70 71 69; Ian Keenan (England) 72 71 67; Martin LeMesurier (England) 72 69 69; 211: Fredrik Quicker (Sweden) 69 71 71; 212: Anton Haig (South Africa) 69 70 73; Duncan Stewart (Scotland)70; 217: Tyler Hogarty (England) 68 76 73; 219: Karim El Hali (Morocco) 76 69 74 and 221: Michael Harradine (Switzerland) 76 69 76.