Jaco Ahlers dropped a shot on the 16th hole on Saturday but managed to hold on for a share of 10th in the Asian Tour’s Saudi Open presented by PIF at Riyadh Golf Club with his closing two-under-par 69.
He was heading down the stretch at 10-under-par for the tournament after making three birdies, and the bogey on 16 saw him slip back from a share of eighth. At nine-under, he, like the rest of the field, was a long way behind the winer, John Catlin of the United States, who closed with a five-under 66 to win by a gaping seven strokes from Wade Ormsby of Australia.
It was the first back-to-back win on the Asian Tour for five years, and Catlin, who won the International Series Macau presented by Wynn last month, also nearly made history on the Asian Tour. He came agonisingly close to becoming the first player to complete 72 holes bogey-free, but he missed a seven-foot par putt on 14.
Behind Ahlers, Ian Snyman closed with a three-under-par 68 to finish the tournament at one-under in a share of 49th. Two other South Africans, Neil Schietekat and Robin Williams, also finished on one-under after closing rounds of level-par 71 and two-over 73 respectively. Justin Harding had a one-under 70 to finish at level-par in a share of 57th.
Ahlers climbed into the top 50 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with his showing.
