Wind blows away McIlroy's chances as Quiros triumphs

Dubai: Rory McIlroy had led over three days but in the end with the wind opening the field up, early advantages stood for nothing. Alvaro Quiros, who had started at tied for 65 rising to tied for 27, then tied for fourth, got lucky in the end with an eagle and a hole in one to claim the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic by a shot in a thrilling contest.

As Quiros celebrates his 11-under par 277 triumph (73-68-68-68), McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Thomas Aiken will all be left to rue the weather. Meanwhile, the world's top three have the wind to thank for holding their challengers back a peg until the next tournament.

A recap on how the four-day drama unfolded:

Day One: McIlroy forged ahead on day one finishing seven-under par 72. Two shots behind tied for second came Garcia and Aiken. Meanwhile, the big three of Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods all complained of difficult conditions hampering their rounds and hoped for better luck in the morning.

Player of the day: McIlroy

Day Two: McIlroy took his lead up to 11-under par setting himself up for what began to look like a winning weekend. Aiken and Garcia held on to tied for second a shot behind both with five under rounds, while Steve Webster broke from the crowd to maintain third at eight under par with a second four under round. What surprised most from the second day was Woods' progression. His clean six-under round took him to seven-under par from 27th right back into tied for fifth just behind the leading pack four shots from the lead.

Player of the day: Woods

Day Three: As the wind picked up, scores started to go backwards. McIlroy lost three shots and Aiken dropped two but Anders Hansen gained one for a three-way tie at the top at eight under par.

Player of the day: Anders Hansen

Day Four: With the threat of McIlroy, Woods and Garcia all fading on the final day with the respective three scoring 74, 75 and 75, the winning opportunity fell to Quiros. Having eagled on two and birdied on three and five, Quiros then threw his advantage by triple-bogeying eight with the ball getting stuck up a palm tree. Hansen could have challenged Quiros for a play-off but a bogey four holes from the end saw him fall to tied for second with James Kingston.

Kingston had climbed from tied for 13th overnight at five under, and made up another five shots on the last day to finish surprise second. A bogey on four spoilt his chances of a win from nowhere. Woods, Westwood and Kaymer in the end finished right down in tied for 20th, tied for 15th and tied for 31 respectively.

Player of the day: Quiros

Breach of conduc: Woods fined for spitting

Former world No 1 Tiger Woods is to be fined for spitting during the Dubai Desert Classic at the weekend.

"Tournament director Mike Stewart has reviewed the incident and feels there has been a breach of the tour code of conduct and consequently Tiger Woods will be fined," the European Tour said in a statement yesterday.

Officials will now write to the 35-year-old American's management team but are unlikely to publicly disclose the amount of the fine.

Woods, a 14-time major winner, was caught spitting several times by television cameras on Sunday as he returned a three-over-par 75 to finish seven strokes behind winner Alvaro Quiros of Spain.

Former tour professional Ewen Murray, now a commentator with Sky, voiced his displeasure with the world No 3.

— Reuters