Pepperell Lifts The Pearl After Dramatic Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Triumph

 Eddie Pepperell held off the challenge of good friend Oliver Fisher to win his first European Tour title after a thrilling conclusion to the 21^stCommercial Bank Qatar Masters.

The Englishman entered the final day at Doha Golf Club level with his compatriot at the top of the leaderboard and while he opened up a three-shot lead at the turn, an impressive fightback by Fisher meant the pair were separated by a just single stroke as they went up the par five last.

It was advantage Fisher after two shots with Pepperell in the rough after both men laid-up but the 27 year old hit an excellent third to set up a par which his playing partner could only match.

Pepperell’s closing round of 70 got him to 18 under, with Fisher signing for a 71, one shot back, and Swede Marcus Kinhult finishing at 16 under after a 68. Spanish duo Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño and Pablo Larrazábal, Frenchman Grégory Havret and Italian Renato Paratore tied fourth at 15 under.

“What a day,” said Pepperell after receiving the iconic Pearl Trophy for winning his maiden European Tour title in his 129^th appearance on the European Tour which saw him rocket from 188^th to 13^th in the season-long rankings. “Oli made it really tough and I made it tough for myself at the end there with the second shot at 18.