February 8, 2010
Jimenez tops Westwood in sudden death to capture Dubai Desert Classic
PGA.com
Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez plays a shot on the third hole during the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010.
(Full-size photo)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Miguel Angel Jimenez beat Lee Westwood on the third playoff hole Sunday to win the Dubai Desert Classic following a thrilling see-saw final day at Emirates Golf Club.
European No. 1 Westwood birdied the last hole in regulation to card a final-round, level-par 72 to join Jimenez at 11-under-par 277.
Spaniard Jimenez, who began the day sharing a one-shot lead alongside Westwood, Alvaro Quiros and Thongchai Jaidee, missed a 10-foot birdie chance at the 72nd hole to card his own final round of 72.
Westwood missed championship-winning putts at the first two extra holes, while on both occasions Jimenez had to fight to stay in contention — with a 12-foot par putt the second time around keeping his title hopes alive.
After switching to the par-4 ninth after two trips up the 18th, Jimenez holed out from four feet to claim his 19th professional title and first since the 2008 BMW PGA Championship, after Westwood had missed his six-foot par putt.
“I feel so proud to win this trophy. I like the golf course, I like the ambience and I like the people and I am very happy,” said the 46-year-old, two-times the Dubai Desert Classic runner-up.
“I made a very good putt on the second hole of the playoff on the 18th that kept me going then I had a putt to win,” he added. “My last win was in 2008 in the PGA and it proves the old guys like me can win.”
Asian No. 1 Jaidee carded a 1-over-par 73 final round to finish third by a shot after missing a two-foot birdie putt at the last.
Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer (70) and Challenge Tour No. 1 Edoardo Molinari (71) finished fourth at 9 under par, with Rory McIlroy and Quiros a further shot adrift.
McIlroy produced a valiant defense of his only European Tour title but could only manage a 73. Quiros needed to eagle at the last to earn a spot in the playoff but found the water and carded a final-round 75.
Gregory Bourdy (68), 2007 champion Henrik Stenson (68) and 60-year-old eight-time major winner Tom Watson (68) completed the top 10 at 6 under par.
After Westwood had briefly held a two-shot lead midway through the front nine before shipping a double bogey, Jimenez and Quiros both moved one clear on the back nine. But after back-to-back bogeys halted Quiros’ challenge, Jimenez added a second birdie of the day at the 17th and took the clubhouse.
Needing a birdie at the last, Westwood aggressively drove the final green to set up his crucial fourth gain of the day after seeing a birdie chance lip out two holes earlier.
At the first playoff hole after driving the green over a lake, Westwood saw a curling 10-foot birdie putt for the title stop on the edge of the cup, while Jimenez battled to save his par after his approach came within an inch of dropping into the water at the front of the green.
Jimenez again looked out of the hunt on the second playoff hole after an uncharacteristic wayward tee shot before hitting his third shot into the back bunker.
But with Westwood within inches after leaving an 18-foot putt for the title just short having again set himself up with another aggressive second shot approach into the par 5, Jimenez held his nerve to hole a 12-foot par putt.
The playoff switched to the par-4 ninth and despite finding rough off the tee, and like Westwood failing to find the green in two, Jimenez converted his up and down to deny the Englishman claiming a win that would have lifted him to third in the world.
