Joost the ticket in Oman, twin caddies record holes-in-one on same day
What happened at the Oman Open?
Joost Luiten is now off to the WGC in Mexico in two weeks after holding off Chris Wood by two shots for his sixth win on tour. The Dutchman added a 68 to his previous back-to-back 66s as the Al Mouj Golf course made its debut on the European Tour to huge acclaim from the players.
For Wood (69), back with his long-time coach Paul Mitchell, it was a welcome return to form after missing his first three cuts of the year. After a fourth birdie of the day a bogey at the 17th meant Luiten had some daylight at the 72nd hole.
The best of @joostluiten's final round. #NBOOmanOpen pic.twitter.com/voQH98bZ9r
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018
Luiten was three ahead after birdies at 2, 3 and 4 before a pair of three putts at 7 and 8 dropped him back into a share of the lead with Wood.
A key moment came at the 16th where Luiten holed from 25 feet and a pair of pars gave him his first win since his home Open in 2016.
Robert Rock threatened to spring a surprise with six birdies in his first 15 holes but then bogeyed the last three. Frenchman Julien Guerrier finished third at 13 under thanks to a strong finish.
Talking point
Twin caddies Gary and Guy Tilston have been working on the European Tour for 33 years but this will never happen again.
Both brothers had a hole-in-one with their players on Thursday, Guy with Marcel Siem at the 13th from 162 yards. Then shortly after Gary, who only started with Matthew Southgate this week, also pulled a 7-iron at the 5th from 165 yards.
“It’s amazing,” said Gary. “To have us both make holes-in-one, on the same day, using the same club is truly remarkable – I doubt it will ever be repeated.”
Southgate also had a hole-in-one at the Dubai Desert Classic and he and Gary managed to get into the final group only to fall away in the last round.
Guy added: “We really love spending time together and the fact that we are travelling to different parts of the world together is amazing.”
Moments of the week
The luckiest tee shot of 2018.@Chris3Wood ? pic.twitter.com/nmJ4kzXz9d
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 17, 2018
Rock rolling into the lead.
He's six-under thru 15. pic.twitter.com/YsGHIuoWYR
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018
Best stats
Co-leader Julien Guerrier has made 11 visits to @ETQSchool. ? pic.twitter.com/grFvYb7HP5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018
Luiten's win record when leading going into the final round:
4/6 pic.twitter.com/q6IMnckfTs
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 17, 2018
Best tweets
Ever wondered what a player’s WhatsApp is like after they win on the European Tour?
? @joostluiten pic.twitter.com/kYLBTblUkA
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 18, 2018
Gutted to finish 2nd in Oman but a great start back with @PaulMitchGolf pic.twitter.com/yJCH3zDalE
— Chris Wood (@Chris3Wood) February 18, 2018
Al Mouj is a must play if you’re ever in Oman. I’d say it’s the best course I’ve played in the Middle East. ??
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 18, 2018
It was a good day for this guy ?
✔️ Shoots 65
✔️ Makes a hole-in-one
✔️ Takes the first round lead pic.twitter.com/rIK3woah9R— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 15, 2018
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Mark Townsend
Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game
