Ahmad Mustapha and Fady Azzam combined like a newlywed couple to claim the 2016/17 Matchplay League Final with an impressive 2&1 victory over Simon Payne and David Biddlecombe.
The match was always going to be a close fought affair and lived up to expectations with holes 1 through to 8 providing much excitement, but the defining moment came as Mustapha’s net birdie on the Par 4, 9th hole elevated them to a 1 up lead heading into the inward nine.
A brilliant approach into the 10th from Azzam to 3 ft had Payne and Biddlecombe on the back foot as 2 down quickly became 3 down as Mustpha, whom displayed the wedge game of a Tour Star nipped one into 2ft which was quickly conceded to swing the momentum well and truly in their direction.
Not to be outdone, boisterous Biddlecombe steadied his nerves to roll in a beautiful putt on the Par 3, 12th hole to holt their progression and reduce the deficit to 2up, but all that was about to change as Mustapha and Azzam dominated the 13th and 14th with pin point wedges to leave them sitting at 4 up with 4 to play.
With their backs firmly against the wall, Payne and Biddlecombe needed a miracle, with Biddlecombe being bestowed the honor of “The Chosen One” as he made net birdies on holes 15 through to 17 which now swung the momentum back their way, but with Mustapha and Azzam stroking on the final hole overcoming them was going to be a very difficult task.
As expected and despite the efforts of Payne and Biddlecombe, Mustapha and Azzam played the Par 5, 18th finishing hole maturely, utilising their shots and their 1 up advantage to close out the match and with it the Title of League Champions for 2016/17.