Making Dubai Desert Classic cut priceless for English amateur Williams

Max Williams says 'it's an awesome prize' to top the Order of Merit among the amateur golfer.

Max Williams topped the amateurs' Order of Merit. Pawan Singh / The National

AL AIN // Having sewn up the Mena Tour's amateur Order of Merit title with a fine display in this season's final event, Max Williams is dreaming big.

The young Englishman signed off the six-week tournament by finishing as the top non-professional at the Tour Championship in Al Ain, carding a final round two-under-par 69 to come home tied-13th overall.

Williams, who travels to America in December to contest premier amateur events there, ended his campaign 22 points ahead of Michael Harradine, the Dubai-based amateur, whose 70 ensured a tied-23rd this week and secured second in the Order of Merit.

For Williams, though, elation was the overriding emotion as the victory awarded him not only some much-needed exposure to attract sponsors, but also a place at next year's Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

"To me, the Classic's the biggest of the three [Desert Swing events] so it's an awesome prize," said the 21 year old, who already has European Tour experience courtesy of three previous Qatar Masters appearances.

"You can't put a price on what you learn from the main tour events; it's an opportunity money can't buy. So it's perfect, really.

"Playing Qatar gave me confidence as it made me realise I wasn't as far away as I thought in terms of golfing ability. So I'll be able to play much better now in Dubai, go there with plans of finishing in the top 10."

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