Espana wins Royal Golf Open

Starting the day two shots off the pace, the Frenchman closed with a bogey-free 69 to reach six-under 213 for the tournament, beating his nearest challenger and overnight leader Ross McGowan by a good three shots with Italy’s Alessandro Tadini and Germany’s Sebastian Heisele sharing third on a two-under 217.

The 24-year-old from Bordeaux, playing in his first Mena Golf Tour event, picked up three birdies on the front nine and one on the 11^th to set up his fourth career win since turning professional last year.

“I played really well, much better than I did in the last two days. And my putting was spot on,” said the 24-year-old Frenchman after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for $9,000 from Mustapha Zine of the Royal Morocco Golf Federation.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the Mena Golf Tour, and Abdulrehman Buftas, president of the Royal Golf of Dar Es Salam Club were also present.

“Ross also played well, but he found trouble on the 14^th and 15^th and ended up making bogeys there and that turned the match in my favour as I managed to par those holes,” said Espana, who thanked his coach Olivier Leglise for all his support.

The Mena Golf Tour, he said, has the potential to grow bigger in years to come.

“There are lots of quality players who love to compete on the tour,” said the Frenchman.