Maybin returns to action in Dubai
HOLYWOOD'S Rory McIlroy, still only 19, rightly stole all the headlines at the weekend, winning his first professional title at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.
But this season is being described as the Race to Dubai for the end of season showdown, and Ballyclare golfer Gareth Maybin had his own personal race to Dubai last week.
Gareth, who was down as 24th reserve for the Dubai Desert Classic, decided to head to Florida for some warm weather training.
However, at the start of last week he received a phonecall to tell him that he had been handed a sponsor's invite. Gareth jumped on a plane to Gatwick where he was joined by Ballyclare Golf Club member Stephen Herron who went out to caddy for him at the event.
The Ballyclare man made it just in time and got off to a great start, scoring two sub par rounds of 70 to finish day two on four under and in the top twenty, easily making the cut.
However, disappointing rounds of 77 and 75 saw him slip down the field and finish tied 60th, but more important with a cheque for 5,338 euros – last year he would have had to finish in the top ten in Challenge Tour events to receive that amount of money.
This keeps Gareth (pictured) well placed on the European Tour rankings Race to Dubai in 22nd place.
Gareth returned home immediately and although there is no European Tour event this week he will be heading to Maybank Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club from 12-15 February.
The next event after that is in Australia, but it is unlikely that Gareth will travel and will be looking forward to the European Tour returning to Europe when the players head to the Maderia Island Open from 19-22 and then on to Seville in Southern Spain.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
