DARTFORD Golf Club’s Michael Saunders has started the season strongly by winning the Omega Emirates Amateur Open in Dubai by a four shot margin.

Saunders shared the overnight lead with Ashley Rees (East Sussex National) over the Faldo course.

Their closest rivals going in to the final round over the Majlis were Bal Arnaud (Rinkven Golf Club, Belguim), Sami Hajri (Yas Links GC) and Ryan Riley (EGF) all on the three-over par mark.

Saunders handled the pressure of the final round well starting up with nine straight pars on the more difficult nines of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic layout.

He started the inward half well with a birdie four on the par five 10th, he suffered his first drop shots on the difficult 12th and the 16th holes, but his challengers faded away leaving him with a healthy lead going in to the final two holes.

Saunders finished in style with a terrific birdie four on the famous 18th to claim the prestigious title, following in the footsteps of past Champions Michael Hoey (European Tour winner) and Peter Hanson (Ryder Cup winner).

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