Deane, Mirza Qualify for Dubai Desert Classic

The duo will join a stellar star cast, led by seasoned Tom Watson, European number one Lee Westwood and defending champion Rory McIlroy among other big guns, when the $2.5 million European Tour event, promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi, gets under way from February 1 to 7.

Emirates Golf Club professional Deane shot a gross four-over-par 76 to win by one shot from his nearest challengers while Mirza needed to take a detour before settling the issue in a tense playoff against Bahrain’s Nasser Yacoob after both were tied at two over par 74 in regulation play.

“Words can’t describe how I am feeling at the moment. I think it’s just fantastic to win the qualifier even though I wasn’t really on top of my game,” said a jubilant Deane.

“I didn’t drive the ball as I normally would and, at times, it was a scramble out there. But I held on quite nicely and kept the big numbers out of my scorecard,” said the 27-year-old professional from Northern Ireland.

“I have never played in a Tour event and it will be a new experience. I am looking forward to it,” said Deane, who took to golf when he was 17, and it took just three years for him to turn pro.

Natural talent? “Well, I think it’s combination of hard work and a bit of talent,” said Steve, who would love to be paired with Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson in a three-ball for the first two rounds on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. “That’s a dream, but at the moment my thoughts are on practising hard for the forthcoming event. I will try and give my shot. Let’s see how things shape up.”

Mirza, on the other hand, had a good chance to win in regulation play, but missed a short putt on the 16^th. “That was a bad miss and sort of rattled me a bit,” said the 28-year-old amateur. “But a good up and down on the 17^th and a solid par on the 18kept me in the hunt,” said Mirza who learned the basic rudiments of the game at the Dubai Creek Golf Academy which he joined when he was 14.

“I wasn’t keeping an eye on the scoreboard, but did know that if I keep making pars I stand a chance. It turned out that way,” said Mirza, who hails from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.

In the first playoff hole (17^th), both parred the hole, but Yacoob’s challenge faded away in the second playoff hole (18^th) when he hit his third shot into the water.

Mirza, in the end, had the luxury of walking away with the honours with a bogey. “I played to my strength and didn’t do anything crazy during the round. I know I am not very long off the tee, and hence tried to keep the ball in play which I did and it paid off.

“I will be great fun to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, something which is a big honour for me,” said Mirza who had his wife in the bag.