ABU DHABI, UAE – Starting the day four strokes off the lead, former UCF men's golfer Ricardo Gouveia (2011-14) put together a stellar final round to win the Abu Dhabi Challenge Sunday afternoon at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The Portugal native finished the tournament 19 under par after firing a 66 (-6) in the final three rounds. After birdieing hole 17, Gouveia recorded an eagle on 18 to win his sixth Challenge Tour title by two strokes over England's Tom Lewis and Joshua Grenville-Wood, South African Wilco Nienaber and Spaniard Ivan Cantero Gutierrez who shared second place at 17 under par.
"It was a crazy day." he said. "I didn't feel like I brought my best game off the tee, but I managed myself really well. I knew the pins were going to be tucked away and my strategy was really good. I holed some nice putts and I'm so happy to finish on top.
"It was a special way to finish, and I'm delighted right now."@MelinhoGolf secured victory in dramatic style ??#AbuDhabiChallenge pic.twitter.com/LZE9W6vKNG
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) April 30, 2023
"I tried to focus on finishing the round strong because in golf you never know what can happen. It was a special way to finish, and I'm delighted right now."
The former UCF All-American tallied 23 birdies in the four-round event with two eagles, both of which were carded in the final round on Sunday.
Gouveia shot a 71 (-1) in the opening round before logging a 66 (-6) in each of his final three rounds.
With the win, Gouveia catapults to ninth place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with 328 points.
The winning moment ??#AbuDhabiChallenge | @MelinhoGolf pic.twitter.com/IhkYXihpff
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) April 30, 2023
The Road to Mallorca remains in the UAE for the UAE Challenge, which takes place at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club from May 4-7.