Tullo Takes Egyptian Open Title

Chile’s Mark Tullo secured a place on next year’s full European Tour after a brilliant final round six under-par 66 saw him finish on 275 (-13) and clinch a dramatic one-shot victory in the Egyptian Open presented by SODIC at the JW Marriott, Mirage City Golf Club yesterday (Saturday).

The 32 year-old had started the final round five shots adrift of George Murray of Scotland but the Scot had to settle for a disappointing level par 72 and a tie for second with Holland’s Mark de Vries – who shot 71 (-1) - on 276 (-12).

“I didn’t look at the scoreboard once during the round so when I got to the 18th and saw I was leading I was like “wow!” said the former Chile Open champion who won his first European Challenge Tour title with victory in the 2010 Rolex Trophy earlier this year. “I genuinely didn’t know what was going on until I finished and then I had a pretty nervous ten minutes.”

After receiving the 89 year-old trophy from Egyptian Golf Federation Chairman Ayman Hussein and Youssef Hammad, Chief Financial Officer of Presenting Sponsor SODIC, Tullo said he was delighted to have gained his playing privileges for the full European Tour.

“Winning is so important for me – to secure my card for The European Tour for next season is like a dream. 

“Next week I can be so much more relaxed at the Grand Final, I can’t tell you how much this means. It’s amazing. Shooting 66 to win is pretty special as well.”

For De Vries and Murray there were mixed emotions after both failed to birdie the final hole and force a play-off. “I putted badly – if I had even just made a couple of those putts then I would have won or at least forced a play off,” said Murray who along with De Vries will also go into next week’s Grand Final with full European Tour privileges secure for 2011.

De Vries admitted he was more relieved than disappointed. “I’m delighted to come second as I wasn’t controlling my swing at all today and was very nervous coming down the back nine,” said the Dutchman.

Meanwhile, World Number Nine Rory McIlroy bounced back from playing “the worst ever as a pro” to share 12th place thanks to a final round 68 (-4) and finish on 283 and six under par for the week.

“It was definitely the best I played all week and it could have been a lot lower,” said McIlroy who now goes back to his ‘day job’ on the full European Tour after donating his prize money to the development of junior golf in Egypt. 

“On the back nine, I missed four short ones for birdie in a row, all inside eight feet, so it could have been very, very good but that’s the way it goes. There was a massive difference between how I hit the ball on Wednesday in the first round and how I hit it today so that’s really good. Wednesday was really bad – it was the worst that I have ever hit it as a professional, put it that way. 

“Overall I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Egypt. The golf course was in fantastic condition and the hotel resort was excellent. 

“It was cool to see the Pyramids even though it was a short trip but I was the first guy to ever hit balls at the Pyramids so that was brilliant. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back one day if it becomes a European Tour event.”

The best round of the day, and indeed the tournament, came from Sweden’s Klas Eriksson with a new course record 64 (-8) to claim a top ten finish, while UAE-based Ross Bain, an ambassador for golf in Dubai (giD), completed his tournament with a level par 72 to finish on 293 (+5) and share 53rd place.

The Egyptian Open 2010 presented by SODIC also enjoyed support from the Egyptian Tourist Authority, Mercedes, Egypt Air, JW Marriott, Mirage City Golf Club, Julius Bär Advisory SAE, Dell, Drexel, Club Car, Hydroturf, Toro, Microsoft, Global Brands, Toshiba, Heineken, Coca Cola, Dockland, Titleist and ECCO.

Egyptian Open presented by SODIC final standings

275 (-13) Tullo (Chile)

276 (-12) De Vries (Holland), Murray (Scotland)

278 (-10) Slattery (England)

279 (-9) Jamieson (Scotland), Gagli (Italy), Gaunt (Australia)

Other scores:

282 (-6) McIlroy (Northern Ireland)