Carey birdies last five to tie for third in Egypt
David Carey of Ireland. Credit: Tristan Jones/Alps Tour
Castleknock’s David Carey birdied his last five holes to card a six-under 66 and tie for third in the Ein Bay Open in Egypt.
The Dubliner dropped an early shot at the fourth with after getting that stroke back at the sixth, he picked up another shot at the 11th before closing in spectacular fashion with birdies at the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.
His six-under 30 on the back nine helped him finish tied for third on 13-under, one stroke outside a playoff that saw behind Spain’s Angel Hidalgo beat Frenchman Pierre Pineau at the second extra hole.
Hidalgo shot a four-under 68 and Pineau a 69 to leave them tied on 14-under before the Spaniard claimed his first Alps Tour title with a birdie at the 18th.
“I am very emotional right now as I have been chasing this win for a long time and I was really looking forward to demonstrating to myself in the first place that I was able to win an international tournament as a pro”, said the 23-year-old Spaniard.
Both Hidalgo and Pineau missed their birdie putts on their first trip down the 18th in the playoff. Pineau found the rough from the tee on their second trip down the hole and made bogey as Hildago made a 10 footer for birdie and victory.
“While on 2019, my first year on the Alps Tour, I played rather poorly, last year after making some technical changes I started having some results and although I did not win the Toscana Open last September – Matteo Manassero did – I demonstrated to myself that I was able to compete at a higher level, and I finished the season on 5th place in the Order of Merit,” the winner said.
“This year has started very well for me, with two 4th places in a row, and this week obviously I have been playing solid, too. The course is in great conditions, you need to adjust your putting a little because the grass is different over here, but I knew it as it is my third year, so it was no surprise. It was hot, no doubt, and that made things a bit more difficult for everybody, but you need to drink a lot of water – I think I’ve drunk more water in these three days than in my entire life.”
Carey shared third with Spaniard Jacobo Pastor (66), England’s Thomas Thurloway (67) and Chile’s Matias Calderon (68), pocketing €2,080.
Naas’ Jonathan Yates shot 69 to tie for 14th on 10-under as Simon Bryan share 35th on five-under after a 69.
The Alps Tour remains at Sokhna GColf Club for the second leg of the Egypt Swing, the Red Sea Little Venice Open from May 23-25.
