Oman Open report: So what happened?
In amongst all the sandstorms in Muscat it was Kurt Kitayama from Las Vegas who pipped everyone for his second win in 11 starts in his rookie season.
The 26-year-old birdied 16 and 17 on a day of 33 holes for him to pip Clement Sordet and Maximilian Kieffer after producing one of the gutsiest comebacks earlier in the week.
6 over after 3 holes. Finish 1 under for the round.
Never give up, right @Kurt_Kitayama? pic.twitter.com/mlMJSQN0J5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 3, 2019
Kitayama ran up a quadruple bogey to start his third round, had three more bogeys in his next four holes but still somehow got it round in under par. He is only the second player in European Tour history to record an 8 on a par 4 and still win.
Much was expected of Kitayama after coming three all three stages of Q School and he then won in Mauritius in December and he’s now a two-time winner after timing his run to perfection.
?️ Two-time European Tour winner Kurt Kitayama's final round in 3 minutes. pic.twitter.com/rmAw6jCZUF
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 3, 2019
It had looked like this putt from Sordet, who was also at Q School down in Lumine just a few months ago, would be the difference but he then three-putted the 72nd hole while Kieffer made a mess of his approach at the 17th and they eventually shared second spot with Jorge Campillo and Fabrizio Zanotti.
?️"Oh, come on!"
Sordet ties the lead with one to play.#OmanOpen pic.twitter.com/g6IxTdh7DA
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 3, 2019
Oman Open report: The talking points
The winds. The scoring average for the second round was 76.6 after Friday was suspended as sandstorms hit the course while Saturday morning, and the completion of the second round was almost as brutal.
At one point Kitayama played a shot onto the green only for the wind to take hold and blow it into a green side bunker.
Tournament director Miguel Vidaor said: “Suddenly, at approximately 11:00, we experienced a sandstorm with winds between 15 and 25 miles per hour blowing from the south-west (inland), with gusts between 30 and 40mph.
“Widespread movement of balls on the front-nine greens occurred at 11:38, which is when play was suspended.”
But, in amongst it all, there were some genuine heroics. Brandon Stone somehow managed a 70 for his second round….
What a challenge today was! Really tough conditions today which makes me even prouder of my performance ?? Bring on tomorrow….
.
.
.#OmanOpen #Ping @PINGTourEurope @GolfinoUSA #ToughDayAtTheOffice pic.twitter.com/FprFb5vDqI— Brandon Stone (@BrandonMStone) March 2, 2019
….but then came home in 43 for an 80.
There was, though, this. The shot of the week which came on Sunday.
202 yards ➡️ 0 yards.@BrandonMStone with the shot of the week! pic.twitter.com/ANC6JpqfWg
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 3, 2019
While Jorge Campillo, who had earlier made a NINE at an earlier par 3, made a double bogey without getting wet at the 13th..
?❌@DubaiDutyFree #FullofSurprises pic.twitter.com/4vAM7ZmcDU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 2, 2019
Otherwise planes were aborting..
Play suspended @EuropeanTour #OmanOpen @almoujmuscat you know it’s windy when even the planes abort the landings! pic.twitter.com/E0zwc7VkYh
— Jamie Gough (@jamiegoughgolf) March 1, 2019
This was cool from Mr Cool…
Up high ❌
Down low ✅How to play golf in the wind, with @MikeMlv. pic.twitter.com/yuWXdW4W8l
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) March 2, 2019
And finally, welcome back to Paul Lawrie who hasn’t played on tour since last April after struggling with his back and foot. He had his son Craig on his bag, as did fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher, and he was as honest as always in his appraisal of his efforts after starting brightly with a 71 before the winds took over.
“83 blows today. Tough day with the wind and putted horrific.”
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