Rikuya Hoshino held his nerve to claim his maiden DP World Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The 27-year-old Japanese entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead but reached 14 under thanks to a four under par round of 68, which proved enough to secure a one-stroke victory from Frenchman Ugo Coussaud.
View this post on Instagram
Hoshino was the first of the final group to make a move, birdieing the second to move out in front, and he made the turn at one under after bogeys at the fourth and seventh sandwiched a pair of birdies.
The six-time Japan Golf Tour winner, who finished second at both the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, made another gain at the par five tenth hole and it soon turned into a two-horse race with European Challenge Tour graduate Coussaud, as both players set their sights on the Mother of Pearl trophy.
View this post on Instagram
The duo both added a pair of birdies down the closing stretch, meaning a par at the 18th saw Hoshino lift his first DP World Tour title and become the second Japanese winner in the space of five months following Ryo Hisatsune’s Cazoo Open de France triumph.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson had earlier set the target at 12 under par following a sublime seven under par round of 65, which eventually earned him another third place after finishing in a tie for third at the 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin finished fourth on 11 under par, with past champion Jorge Campillo a shot further back in fifth.
Victory see Hoshino climb three places to second on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, while he also moves to sixth on the International Swing Rankings.
View this post on Instagram
Player quotes
Rikuya Hoshino: “I’m so honoured to win this wonderful tournament. I was disappointed to finish runner-up in the two Australian tournaments so I’m so happy to finally win.
“I was nervous but I just tried to enjoy it. I’m so happy now.
“Every shot was important but the last tee shot there was the most nerve-wracking. The putt on 18, my heart was racing.
“I’m so grateful for all the supporters. Thank you very much for supporting me.”
