China’s Shanshan Feng came from five strokes back to claim her fourth Omega Dubai Ladies Masters title inside five years, as she once again mastered the Majlis Course with a sizzling 64 on a blustery final day at Emirates Golf Club.
A run of six birdies in her first 10 holes took the world number four to within one stroke of the lead, held by the overnight leader Felicity Johnson. Another three straight birdies from the ninth gave her a one stroke advantage, and it was effectively all over when she made an eighth birdie on the 14th hole.
Feng won with a tournament record 21-under-par for 72 holes in 2015, but the 2016 event was cut to 54 holes in honour of caddie Maximilian Zechmann, who collapsed and died early in the first round. Rounds of 72, 70 and 64 for a total of 10-under-par ensured a two stroke victory over England’s Charley Hull, who shot a flawless final round of 65 to end on eight under par.
Speaking about her late charge, Hull said: “It could have been a really good score, but from 13, 14, 15, the putts just edged out. I hit a lot of good putts out there, so it kind of evened itself out, and I’m quite happy with my score in the conditions.”
India’s Aditi Ashok ended in a tie for third place with England’s Florentyna Parker on six-under-par and sealed Rookie of the Year honours. Parker, signed off with a 71 and said: “I struggled on the front nine and was two-over and I finished really well, so I was 3-under for the last five holes. So that was really good. I’ve had a great year and eight top-10s. I’m really thrilled.”
Hampshire’s Georgia Hall tied for fifth on five-under alongside Ashleigh Simon, while second round leader Felicity Johnson, who was four shots clear early in the final round, ended with a 75 for a share of seventh. “I’m not a massive fan of playing in the wind, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might have been,” Johnson said. “I’m disappointed not to have stayed in front, but I was pleased to have put myself into the position I did, and it was a nice feeling again to be at the right end of the leaderboard.”