Latest news with #DavidHorsey
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Horsey rides again: Dubai-based golfer ends decade-long drought in dramatic style
David Horsey returned to the winner's circle in sensational fashion, claiming victory at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge in Normandy with a nerve-shredding birdie on the first play-off hole. It was the Dubai-based Englishman's first win in nearly a decade and came after a tense four-man showdown on the HotelPlanner Tour. The 40-year-old sealed the title at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil, birdieing the 72nd hole to force a play-off with fellow Englishman James Allan, Spain's Joseba Torres, and Scotland's Daniel Young. Then, under immense pressure, Horsey hit a clutch five-iron to just three feet at the par-three 10th, the play-off hole, before calmly rolling in the birdie putt for the win. 'It's good to get it over the line,' Horsey said. 'It's been a tough road the last four or five years. I've had a few injuries, and I haven't been playing very well, so it's nice to finally start putting a series of rounds together.' A former four-time winner on the DP World Tour, Horsey's third career win on the HotelPlanner Tour shoots him 97 spots up the Road to Mallorca Rankings to 12th place—firmly within reach of the top 20 who will graduate to the DP World Tour next season. 'I've been playing well in single rounds, but to put four rounds together and win a tournament is very pleasing,' he said. 'It was also pleasing to see everything hold up under pressure. I've always felt recently that I have my game in a good place, but never thought I could do it under pressure. To see that hold up today was great, and hopefully it will for the rest of the season.' Fast Start for Horsey Horsey began the final round tied for the lead and wasted no time making his move, rolling in a long birdie putt at the first. He stayed steady through the front nine before reeling off three consecutive birdies from the 10th to move two clear of the field. A bogey on 14 was quickly erased with another birdie on 15, but a double bogey at the 17th nearly derailed his title hopes. 'I made a birdie in regulation on the play-off hole. It was the perfect five iron for me, so I could stand up there, hit it and know it wasn't going to go long,' he explained. 'It came out perfectly, and a little bit of wind off the right helped it come back to three or four feet, and I managed to hole it.' Horsey's victory adds intrigue to the remainder of the HotelPlanner Tour season. 'Hopefully I can fine-tune the feelings I've come across and kick on and win a few more,' he added. Sweden's Albin Bergstrom finished fifth at 15 under par, with local hopeful Robin Sciot-Siegrist in sixth. American Nick Carlson was solo seventh at 13 under. Overnight co-leader Eddie Pepperell withdrew from the tournament with a back injury ahead of his final round. Dubai-based Frenchman Joel Stalter closed with a 68 to finish at one under par. At the top of the Road to Mallorca standings, Italian Renato Paratore remains in first, thanks to his earlier back-to-back UAE wins. Daniel Young jumped 20 places to sixth with his runner-up finish, while Clement Charmasson moved up two spots to ninth after finishing eighth in front of home fans. The HotelPlanner Tour resumes this week with the Interwetten Open at Schladming-Dachstein Golf Club in Austria from July 3rd to 6th.
Khaleej Times
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
English golfer David Horsey embraces Dubai life while chasing a return to his best form
English golfer David Horsey is settling into life in Dubai, balancing family, career, and a new chapter in his professional journey. A four-time DP World Tour winner, Horsey remains focused on his game as he competes on both the Challenge and Asian Tours. A key decision about his next steps looms in August. Horsey's ties to Dubai stretch back 15 years, but it's only recently that he made the move permanent. Now a resident, he joins a growing community of professional golfers based in the city, including Anirban Lahirin Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, Jeev Milkha Singh, and Gaganjeet Bhullar. 'I've always enjoyed spending time in Dubai, and it's been a great place to settle,' he says. 'I've got a lot of friends and family here, and with my wife and two kids - soon to be three - it's a fantastic setup for us.' Sharpening His Game at The Els Club A regular at The Els Club, managed by Troon Golf, Horsey sees it as a vital training ground. 'There's a great group of guys here, and Khaled (Samawi), who runs it, does a fantastic job,' he says. 'The course is in top condition, and with players like Adrian Meronk and Thomas Detry around, the competition helps me gauge where my game is.' After battling injuries in recent years, Horsey is focused on staying sharp. 'The last couple of years have been tough, but I'm now playing on the Challenge Tour and have status on the Asian Tour as well,' he says. Staying Competitive A six-time tournament winner - four times on the DP World Tour and twice on the Challenge Tour - Horsey has continued to find ways to compete despite setbacks. His recent top-10 finish at LIV Golf Riyadh was a confidence boost. 'LIV Golf Riyadh was a different format - knockout on the first day, then 36 holes - but I managed to finish seventh,' he says. 'I have full status on the Challenge Tour, and the International Series on the Asian Tour gets busy later in the year. Hopefully, I can balance both and, by August, decide where my focus should be.' Adjusting to Dubai Life Coming from Wilmslow, Cheshire, Horsey acknowledges that Dubai has been an adjustment, but one he's embracing. 'There's a lot to learn, but I'm really enjoying it,' he says. 'Having a strong support system here makes all the difference.' One key supporter has been Khalifa Al Masood and his family. 'They've looked after me really well,' Horsey shares. 'I spent six months in Abu Dhabi sorting out my visa, and Khalifa has been a great supporter. I can't thank him enough.' Looking Back, Moving Forward Now, with Dubai as his base, Horsey is working to ensure more success lies ahead. Whether he prioritizes the Challenge Tour or the Asian Tour later this year, one thing is certain - he is determined to keep competing at the highest level Horsey's four European Tour wins remain highlights of his career:
