Aqaba, Jordan, Feb 5: David Langley made a winning debut on the MENA Tour by Arena as he won the $75,000 Journey to Jordan #1, the opening event of the 2020 season. Langley shot six-under par 66 on Wednesday at Ayla Golf Club to take his total to 11-under par 205, four better than Jordan’s 16-year-old amateur Shergo Al Kurdi (69) and England’s Jamie Rutherford (65) and Tom Sloman (69).
It was an emotional win for the 25-year-old from Marlow, England Langley, who lost his father less than two months ago. The Castle Royale Golf Club member, Langley started the day one shot ahead of the chasing pack and managed to increase the same with some flawless golf as he made five birdies and an eagle. His only bogey of the day came late on the par-5 13th hole, but he more than made up for that mistake when he holed an exquisite lob wedge shot on the par-5 17th for an eagle.
“I am really shell-shocked. There wasn’t a moment on the golf course when I wasn’t nervous. I handled myself very well and was completely focused on each and every shot, but my mind was all over the place in between the shots,” said Langley, who turned pro late last year.
“I won a couple of small events last year, but really, I haven’t won anything for the past three-and-a-half years (on the American college circuit), even though I felt I have improved a lot as a golfer over that time. This is dedicated to my mum, who has been like a rock even though we have gone through some very tough times as a family over the past two years, and all my coaches.”
The Swedish duo of Ake Nilsson (68) and Per Langfors (70) were tied fifth at six-under par 210.
The two-time Jordan Open champion, Shergo, missed a lot of birdie chances but made up later and finished second.
“I am very proud of what I managed to achieve – runner-up and the best amateur. This is also my best finish on the MENA Tour and this gives me so much confidence for the future. To do it in Jordan and at Ayla Golf Club, who have been so supportive of me, makes this even more special.”
Rutherford, a former European Tour player, rued a four-putt double bogey on the par-3 sixth hole and a three-putt par on the par-5 17th hole.
CAPTION: Champion David Langley and runner-up and Best Amateur, Jordan’s Shergo Al Kurdi, receive their trophies from Mr Sahl Dudin, MD, Ayla Oasis Development
