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Bahrain's Hamad Mubarak Al Afnan finished second behind Andrew Marshall in the 45th Bahrain Open Golf Championship at the Awali Golf Club course on Saturday.
Marshall carded a solid final round score of one-under par 69 to finish four strokes ahead atop the leader board after his two-under par 68 on opening day, for a 36-hole total score of three-under par 137
National team golfer Al Afnan, who was in 13th place overall after round one, closed with the second day's best score of three-under 67, sinking an impressive six birdies including four on the back nine to end the event one over par 141.
Defending champion and fellow-international Nasser Yacoob, who had a one-stroke lead after day one, had a forgettable outing on Saturday for a six-over 76 and finished with three-over 143 to take third place.
All the players benefited from better weather conditions on the second day, unlike on Friday when they had to battle strong winds and dusty conditions.
Emirates Golf Club professional Marshall started the second round on a high note and took advantage of successive bogeys from Yacoob on the second and third holes. He was also able to birdie the first, seventh and ninth holes and build a three-stroke lead after the front nine. He finished the back nine comfortably, sinking one more birdie putt but also dealing with three bogeys.
The 34-year-old Dubai-based Briton, who was taking part in his first tournament in Bahrain, staved off the challenge of two of the tournament's top veterans, as Al Afnan and Yacoob have seven Open titles between them.
Al Afnan last won the Open in 1995. He has since finished runner-up six times.
Bapco chief executive Abdulkarim Al Sayed presented the top three with their prizes. Also present at the ceremony was Bapco public relations manager Adel Almoayyed, Awali club president Jim Brotheridge, club captain Joe Leese, and vice-captain Myra Turner.
Colin Ferguson, Abdulhadi Al Noaimi, Park, Othman Almulla, Sultan Abdulla Sultan, Abdulla Sultan Saleh, Steve Munro, Hussain Salem and Saad Ali Al Binkalil were the other prize-winners. About 90 players took part in this year's event, whose main sponsor was Bapco, with the other sponsors being American Express and Riffa Views/Arcapita.
TOP TEN
Player Total
1 Andrew Marshall 137
2 Hamad Al Afnan 141
3 Nasser Yacoob 143
4 Colin Ferguson 145
5 Abdulhadi Al Noaimi 145
6 David Park 146
7 Othman Almulla 147
8 Sultan Abdulla Sultan 148
9 Abdulla Sultan Saleh 148
10 Steve Munro 150
