Golf: Haeggman Wins Qatar Masters Tournament


14 March 2004

Swedish golfer Joakim Haeggman fired a seven-under-par 65 in the final round to come from behind and win the Qatar Masters tournament in Doha. The 34-year-old Swede ended the tournament with a 16-under-par total of 272 to defeat Nobuhito Sato of Japan by a single stroke. Sato needed an eagle on the final hole of regulation to force a playoff but only made a birdie to post his highest finish on the European Tour.

Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who was the co-leader with Sato after the third round, carded a 69 to end up two shots back in a three-way tie for third place. Brian Davis of England and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara also ended the event with 14-under-par totals of 274. The victory was Haeggman's first since the 1997 Volvo Scandinavian Masters and his third on the European Tour. He is playing this season on a medical exemption after breaking his ankle in an ice hockey accident.