Dubai: Miguel Angel Jimenez upheld the 20-year tradition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic when he won the $2.5 million tournament courtesy of a one-shot win in a three-hole play-off from Lee Westwood.
Jimenez's victory denied defending champion Rory McIlroy a second straight title at Emirates Golf Club and the tournament retained its notoriety for being unkind to defending champions.
Spain's Jimenez and Race to Dubai champion Westwood returned identical 11-under-par 277 cards after 72 holes. Both then made pars twice on the par-five 18th, the first two holes of the play-off. However, as Jimenez holed a four-foot putt for par on the deciding third hole, the par-four 9th, Westwood failed from six feet and missed out on what would have been another famous victory in the emirate after his superb triumph at the Dubai World Championship in November last year.
Jimenez said: "I've been coming here many years now and I've had a few chances to win. But I feel very, very happy and excited. All through the week you play well and with a strong mind and I had good support from my caddie Mark.
"I like playing this way. I was comfortable and that is key. I know I'm not 25 or 30 years old, I'm 46, but I'm still strong. It is much more difficult for me compared to youngsters like Rory."
Jimenez said he spent the last two weeks working on his fitness. "I did nothing during the winter, but then almost everyday of the last two weeks was in the gym. We did a little bit of weights, worked on cardio and abs because you need to have good balance."
Jimenez is looking forward to the Majors and to making Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup team.
‘Same' goals
"My goals are the same every year. Every player likes to be at the Majors and I too would like to win a Major in my career and I will do all I can to win one. Everybody knows how tough it is, but would like to have the opportunity," said Jimenez, who earned a seat at the World Golf Championship — Bridgestone Invitational with this win.
Westwood said: "I started off quickly like I wanted to and hit good shots all the way but didn't capitalise on them. Some days you don't play great and you just have to hang in there.
"I feel pretty strong, but the game still feels a little bit rusty, mentally I wasn't quite sharp enough."
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee finished third on 10-under 27 8, while Edoardo Molinari and Martin Kaymer were tied fourth on nine-under 279.
McIlroy, runner-up at the inaugural Race to Dubai, was tied sixth on eight-under with Alvaro Quiros.
Disappointment
McIlroy said: "I'm obviously very disappointed. I didn't play well and didn't take any chances and it was a bit of a struggle really. It doesn't matter anymore because I didn't even put myself into a position. I didn't really get anything going and I'm disappointed a ton for not putting any pressure on the guys."
American veteran Tom Watson, playing for the first time in Dubai, was tied-eighth on six-under 282 along with Henrik Stenson and Gregory Bourdy.
Paul Casey, Marcus Fraser, Ross Fisher and David Horsey were tied-11th a further shot back, while India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Richard Green, Christian Nilsson, Thomas Bjorn and Oliver Wilson were tied-15th on four-under 284.
Scores
- 277 — Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 70-67-68-72, Lee Westwood (ENG) 72-65-68-72.* Jimenez won on third hole of sudden death playoff
- 278 — Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 70-66-69-73.
- 279 — Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 68-70-70-71, Martin Kaymer (GER) 71-70-68-70.
- 280 — Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 69-69-67-75, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-70-69-73.
- 282 — Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 74-70-70-68, Tom Watson (USA) 73-70-71-68, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 76-69-69-68.
