American Ogletree becomes first two-time International Series winner in Qatar

      

 

Andy Ogletree has ‘got it done’ in a blustery Doha, claiming a three-shot victory in the inaugural International Series Qatar.   This result marks a second professional victory for the prodigious 24-year-old talent who captured his first Asian Tour win at the International Series Egypt in November 2022.   He said: “[I am] super pleased to be the champion here, it’s unbelievable! What a great test we had this week. It was really hard, the course got really firm and fast I’m so super proud to win a golf tournament playing like this.”

Ogletree followed his opening two rounds, both one-under-par 71s with a flawless 66 on Saturday to take an overnight five shot lead into the final day’s play.   Answering how comfortable he’d been with being in that position, the Mississippi native said: “I worked really hard this off-season, post Egypt and I just have a lot of confidence because I work so hard. I don’t think anyone wants it more than me, I want to keep giving myself more opportunities and this is the route where I can do that.”   Battling the prevailing winds throughout the final day’s play, Ogletree birdied the 4th and 18th holes, closing out with a total of seven-under-par.

Victory takes him top of both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits. Maintaining his status on the latter will see the American qualify to play the ultra-lucrative LIV Golf League.   The low round of the day went to Ogletree’s fellow countryman Jarin Todd who entered the weekend in last place and fired in a round of 65 to climb 13 places up the leaderboard.

A trio of Thai talents made up of Gunn Charoenkul, Suradit Yongcharoenchai, and Phachara Khongwatmai finished second, third and fourth respectively, while Japan’s Hideto Tanihara and Ben Leong of Malaysia tied in fifth place.   1 Andy Ogletree 2 Gunn Charoenkul 3 Suradit Yongcharoenchai 4 Phachara Khongwatmai 5= Hideto Tanihara 5= Ben Leong 7 Travis Smyth 8= Sangmoon Bae 8= Miguel Tabuena 8= Sanghyun Park 8= Miguel Carballo 8= Chapchai Nirat   More information about the International Series Qatar, can be found by visiting: Asian Tour | Professional Golf Tour in Asia

Image Caption:  Andy Ogletree of the USA pictured with the winner’s trophy during Round Four on Sunday February 19, 2023 at the US$2.5 million International Series Qatar at Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar. The tournament is being held from February 16-19, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour