Darren Fichardt made the best decision of his life when he decided to play in the Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club then edged out fellow South African James Kingston at the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to capture his second title on The European Tour International Schedule.
The 27 year old from Pretoria took a lead from his wife, Natasha, by confirming his participation in the prestigious tournament ten days prior to the start, and the outcome was a handsome cheque for €226,983 (£156,054) to set alongside the gleaming Mother of Pearl gold trophy.
Fichardt, winner of the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in 2001, closed with a three under par 69 for a four round total of 275, 13 under par. Kingston, ten years his elder, matched that final round to take the contest into extra time with Ireland’s Ryder Cup hero, Paul McGinley, occupying third place on 277 after a battling 67 to round off his week.
Fichardt had signed his card and was watching from the first floor terrace of Doha Golf Club as Kingston approached the par five 18th needing a birdie to claim his first European Tour title. A drive which caught the wispy rough just off the fairway prevented him from attacking the green and his 15 footer for birdie fell short.
The players returned to the 18th tee for a second time and both found the fairway with their drives. Fichardt’s iron shot landed 40 feet away but Kingston found a greenside bunker, from where he was unable to get up and down. Fichardt, who had putted up to three feet, holed the birdie putt and savoured the moment of victory for a second time.
It was a sweeter moment than in his only previous play-off, when he let an opportunity slip through his grasp at Fota Island in the 2002 Irish Open won by Søren Hansen of Denmark.
He recalled: “My last play-off was not exactly glorious and today brought back memories. In Ireland I found myself on a par five in two needing two putts to win and didn't do it. This time I managed to pull it off.”
Fichardt, who moves to eighth on the Volvo Order of Merit with €245,536 (£168,810), added: “Basically, before coming here, my wife told me that I had to play whenever I could because you never know when the chance to win will come along. I am definitely very glad we made that decision.”
It was at 6.30am on Saturday morning that Fichardt’s tournament kicked into gear. The field had resumed their second round following the disruption to the tournament schedule by a sandstorm and high winds on Thursday. He birdied his first hole and followed it with a hole in one. In that small cameo, his challenge was up and running.
Kingston was understandably disappointed at missing the opportunity to capture his first title, but the consolation prize was considerable, a cheque for €151,316 (£104,032) and a leap to 12th place on the Volvo Order of Merit which will enable him to fulfill his wish of gaining full exempt status on The European Tour in 2004.
"Winning my European Tour card is something I’ve always dreams of” he said. “Despite the disappointment I am ecstatic to have finally achieved it. At 37 I suppose you could say better late than never!”
McGinley’s chance of victory disappeared with a bogey at the 17th which left him too far off the pace, bit it was a promising week for the Irishman who had a combat the elements and a bout of pneumonia during an exceptional week of golf in the Gulf. Meanwhile his fellow Irishman, Padraig Harrington, staged a finish which McGinley would have grabbed with both hands – he raced home in 29 for a share of 11th place.
