Scott Henry close to top-10 finish in Egypt

Romain Langasque finished joint-third in Egypt on his professional debut. Picture: Michael Gillen

Englishman Smith sealed a wire-to-wire victory in the Red Sea Egyptian Challenge with an 18-under-par 270 total at Sokhna Golf Club.

The 23-year-old, who gained his playing rights for the 2016 Road to Oman by topping the Order of Merit on the third-tier PGA EuroPro Tour last season, closed with a 69 to finish two shots clear of the field.

“I can’t quite get my head around it at the moment,” said Wiltshire-based Smith. “I can’t believe what’s just happened, I’m just speechless really, everything’s running through my mind and I’m trying to take it all in.

“I never really thought I could win on Challenge Tour this quickly, I’d hoped maybe for later in the year, but the last couple of weeks I’ve been hitting the ball the best I’ve ever hit it.”

Smith’s compatriot, former Amateur champion Garrick Porteous, finished joint-second with Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach and Austrian’Manuel Trappel.

Henry broke 70 in all four rounds, closing with a 69, as he claimed a share of 11th spot on 13-under-par.

David Law (72) and Peter Whiteford (73) finished alongside each other in a share of 41st on seven-under.

Ross Cameron, the fourth Scot to make the cut, signed off with 68 to end up tied for 63rd on two-under.

It was another excellent event for Romain Langasque, the Frenchman who won the Amateur Championship at Carnoustie last June.

Second in the opening event of the season in Kenya when he was still an amateur, the 20-year-old marked his professional by tying for third on this occasion.

“I am a very happy about how my game is,” said Langasque, who signed off his amateur career with a 67 in the final round of The Masters.

“Although I am disappointed not to win I am over all very pleased with how I have played this week.”