Harding’s nervous wait ends with Qatar Masters win

It took nine years and 54 starts for Justin Harding to taste victory on the European Tour.But he “didn’t enjoy” the “nerve-wracking” 45-minute anxious wait on the final day of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after he carded a final round 66 at the Doha Golf Club yesterday.Harding was one of 15 golfers who started the day three strokes behind 54-hole leader Oliver Wilson, but he made three early birdies to claim a share of the lead, but dropped down the field after two bogeys. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Jinho Choi notched a 64 to claim the clubhouse lead at 11-under-par.However, Harding rallied to snatch the clubhouse lead with a overall score of 13-under, but was nervous, waiting for the chasing pack to finish, with nine players tied for second at one point.“It feels good. Especially coming off, it’s a situation I haven’t really been in. I didn’t enjoy it but it’s good fun, I’m glad it happened and now we move on,” Harding, who was playing without full playing privileges after finishing third on last season’s Asian Tour, said after his round.Harding was playing on a reduced schedule this year as a category 18 player, with category 17 and lower players having full status. Victory earns him a full card. With the victory he is within sight of securing a Masters debut as he is also projected to move just outside the world’s top 50 when the rankings are updated today. The top 50 on April 1 receive an invite to the year’s first major at Augusta National.The South African, who is one of the most consistent players on the tour who failed to emerge as champions, gave credit to his strong mindset for the win on Qatar Masters debut. “Yes, quite a bit… seriously quite a bit credit goes to my strong mindset,” the 32-year-old said.“It’s fantastic. It’s still sinking in. I didn’t quite think it was enough, I thought there might be a play-off but I’m happy to get over the line eventually. I’ve been knocking on the door a little recently. It’s rewarding seeing the hard graft and change in mindset – seeing what’s involved and what’s going on. I’m really happy.”Talking about his final round the Harding said: “I had to stay patient. I got off to a good start, made a couple of birdies and lost my head around the turn. My caddie Alan said we’re still in it and to make a couple on the back. I managed to keep myself in it and made a couple. I birdied 17 and 18, which was huge. I didn’t think 13 was clear, I thought there would be a play-off with how scores were looking on the back nine, but I’m happy to get over the line.”The victory which earned him $291,660, his fifth winner’s cheque in nine months from four different countries, having  claimed back-to-back Sunshine Tour wins in May and repeating the feat on the Asian Tour in July.He becomes the fifth South African winner of this event after Darren Fichardt, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Branden Grace - who successfully defended the Mother of Pearl trophy in 2016.South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout, George Coetzee and Erik van Rooyen, Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, Swede Anton Karlsson, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, England’s Wilson and Choi were locked in a European Tour record nine-way tie for second.Overnight leader Wilson, who was also looking for a full European Tour status, had only one bogey over the first three rounds but was undone by three in the final. A birdie on the par-5 18th gave him a one-under 71 and a share of second. Wilson, who played in the 2008 Ryder Cup, picked up a cheque for $77,265. He began the tournament 45th on the money list, and needs to finish inside the top 110 at the end of the season to earn a card for next year’s European Tour.Leading final round scores275 — Justin Harding (RSA) 68-68-73-66 277 — Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 68-68-71-70, Anton Karlsson (SWE) 72-66-70-69, Oliver Wilson (ENG) 69-68-69-71, Jorge Campillo (ESP) 72-69-68-68, George Coetzee (RSA) 68-68-73-68, Jin-ho Choi (KOR) 72-69-72-64, Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) 72-71-66-68, Erik Van Rooyen (RSA) 69-68-70-70, Nacho Elvira (ESP) 71-67-69-70 278 — Andy Sullivan (ENG) 70-71-69-68, Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) 72-68-70-68, Thomas Detry (BEL) 70-68-70-70 279 — Adri Arnaus (ESP) 67-70-72-70, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 69-71-72-67, Jeff Winther (DEN) 70-70-72-67, Nick Cullen (AUS) 69-70-68-72