Concord’s Coby Carruthers clinched a wire-to-wire victory with a final-round 67 at the Emirates Golf Federation’s UAE Cup, held at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, and Golf Club.
Carruthers’ three-round total of eight under par (66-69-67) secured him a four-shot lead over group of three players, including fellow blues star Jye Halls, who tied for second.
Carruthers overcame an early setback in the final round with a double bogey and bogey in the first two holes. Showing resilience, he responded with four consecutive birdies and added two more on holes 12 and 16 to finish three under par with a bogey-free back nine.
“I was a little nervous at the end – but overall, I am very happy with my week,” said Carruthers, 19, at the prize presentation.
“I came into it not playing that well. I will 100% take up the Challenge Tour invite back here in the UAE in 2025 as well as the spot in the Final Qualifying Stage in the Asian Tour Qualifying School in December 2024.
In the Elite Ladies Division, Newcastle-based Ella Scaysbrook came in second, with Avondale’s Rachel Lee finishing third.
“I want to congratulate my Australian team-mates here this week – Jye Halls who came tied second in the Men’s Elite Division and the Ladies Elite players from Australia: Ella Scaysbrook who came second and Rachel Lee who came third,” added Carruthers.
“We have all had a fun time in Al Ain and the UAE and done everything together.”
“I want to thank the EGF, the golf club and Al Ain for their generous hospitality for all the players and officials this week – it has been very special.
“It has been a most rewarding and pretty successful week for all of us NSW guys and gals. I look forward to defending the 2025 UAE Cup – hopefully, I get selected to represent my country again,” he added.
Carruthers now looks ahead to the New South Wales Open at Murray Downs from November 14-17, hoping to carry his success forward.
“My next event is the New South Wales Open in a couple of weeks – we will all spend the day in Dubai as tourists tomorrow and then fly home to Australia in the evening.”
RESULTS:
Elite Men
1st – Carruthers (Aus) 66. 69. 67. 202.
T2 – Sarasmut (Thai) 73. 68. 65. 206.
T2 – Halls (Aus) 69. 70. 67. 206.
T2 – J-L. Aeschlimann (Swi) 69. 66. 71. 206.
Elite Ladies
1st – Prachnakorn (Thai) 68. 70. 68. 206.
2nd – Scaysbrook (Aus) 72. 69. 69. 210.
3rd – Lee (Aus) 73. 68. 70. 211.
