Aiken's haircut will have to wait

Dubai: South Africa's Thomas Aiken still can't cut his hair despite finishing tied for second on days one and two, and going into the last day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic tied for first.

Aiken had told the media he wouldn't cut his hair until he wins, but having seen his score slide backwards from 10 under par to seven under over four days, that trip to the barber has been put back slightly further.

He finally finished tied for seventh, seven under, four shots off the position he had been threatening all week after recording scores of 67-67-74-72.

Aiken told press on day two, obviously sensing a victory was near: "I've been taking a lot of stick on my hair in general.

"And then it came out, I'm not cutting it until I win. I won't cut it until I win but I won't cut it short when I win.

"It will be a nice neat trim."

Having never won a European Tour event since turning pro in 2002, Aiken has previously come second in the Africa Open and tied for third in Trophee Hassan II. In total he's had seven finishes from fourth to tenth in the European Tour.

Promising

The 28-year-old from Johannesburg had been getting excited with his elevated status all week but sadly his promise was cut short by the wind on day three and an indifferent last round.

After that day Aiken said: "The wind was not just blowing, but it was gusting and swirling from all directions.

"You really had to take time over your shots, because you can get over the ball and the wind can change direction all of a sudden and you've got to pull back."