Rafael Cabrera-Bello reigns in Dubai

Dubai: Rafael Cabrera-Bello kept up the good work of the Spanish armada to win the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic by a stroke yesterday, carding 18-under par 270 (63,69,70,68).

Tied at 17 under par with England's Lee Westwood (69,65,67,70) and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher (69,65,68,69) up until the 16th hole, with a three-way play-off looking likely, the 27-year-old Gran Canarian saved par on the 16th and birdied the 17th, while Westwood and Gallacher could only par their remaining two holes.

Having led after day one at nine-under par, Cabrera-Bello missed out on an opportunity to share the second day's lead with Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn after missing an easy par putt on the 18th to settle a stroke behind.

Day three saw him again perched a shot behind leader Westwood, with Gallacher and Marcel Siem at 14 under par. But it was his faultless four under par last round with birdies on two, 11, 12 and 17 which set him apart at the close of play.

Westwood, who started the day at 15 under went up to 17 with an eagle on two, only for a bogey on five and birdie on 13 to leave him stagnant, parring the last five holes.

Meanwhile, Gallacher started at 14 under but bogies on one and seven were restored with birdies on two and five to level the front nine.

It was only a birdie and eagle on ten and 13 that got his round going, but like Westwood he parred his remaining holes, with only Cabrera-Bello taking advantage over the last three.

Second European Tour

This is Cabrera-Bello's second European Tour win in 151 appearances and it moves him to €336,412 (Dh1.62 million) in the Race to Dubai. He's jumped to around 60th in the world rankings from 119 and he becomes the third consecutive Spaniard to win this event after Miguel Angel Jimenez (2010) and Alvaro Quiros (2011).

Cabrera-Bello, who last won the Austrian Open in 2009, said: "I knew I had to make birdies. There were three great players, Lee who has won many times and Stephen, who has only won one but is still a great player. Those last holes are scoring holes and you know if you are going to play them good you are going to make birdies.

"I was happy I was playing in front of them [Gallacher and Westwood] and thought if I birdied first, I would be the first to punch. It would give me the edge. I wanted to fight. I birdied the 17th and it gave me confidence, missed [the] birdie on the 18th but in the end it wasn't necessary. This week has been spectacular for me.

"I played great the entire week. There were so many big names up there I just felt really proud of myself. I stayed calm and did everything I've read about in these types of situations. I'd never been in this situation before so it was really amazing. I had my ups and downs but overall I played great and I'm really happy that I've been lucky enough to end up winning."

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