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Inside the Middle East
February 8, 2010
Posted: 706 GMT

From CNN's Living Golf

(CNN) - Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez made it third time lucky as he won the Dubai Desert Classic after beating European Tour No. 1 Lee Westwood in a three-hole playoff on Sunday.

Miguel Angel Jimenez clinched his first tournament victory since the BMW PGA Championship in May 2008.
Miguel Angel Jimenez clinched his first tournament victory since the BMW PGA Championship in May 2008.

The 46-year-old, twice a runner-up in the tournament, saw his English rival miss winning putts at the first two holes, both played at 18, and had to drain a 15-footer himself at the second to stay in contention.

Jimenez had a much easier attempt from four feet to win at the par-four ninth hole after the 36-year-old Westwood hit the greenside rough with his second shot and then missed a six-foot putt for par.

"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," world No. 60 Jimenez told reporters after clinching the first prize of $400,000 with his 16th victory on the European Tour.

"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. My last win was in 2008 in the PGA, and it proves that old guys like me can win."

Jimenez and world No. 4 Westwood had started the final round in a four-way tie for the lead along with Asian No. 1 Thongchai Jaidee and young Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

Jimenez missed a birdie putt at 18 to finish with par 72 for the clubhouse lead of 11-under-par 277, then Westwood joined him as he picked up a shot at the par-five closer to card the same score for the day.

Westwood had led by two shots early on, but a double-bogey at the par-four fifth hole saw him caught again.
Jaidee of Thailand finished third after his 73 left him one stroke back, missing a short birdie putt at 18 that ruled him out of the playoff.

Germany's Martin Kaymer (70) was tied for fourth on nine-under with Italian Edoardo Molinari (71), while Quiros was another shot back along with defending champion Rory McIlroy.

Quiros had a nightmare 75, carding five bogeys including three at his last five holes, hitting the water hazard at 18 as he sought an eagle to reach the playoff.

World No. 9 McIlroy's 73 was boosted by a birdie at 18, but four bogeys ended his title chances.
American veteran Tom Watson tied for eighth with world No. 10 Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy as all three closed with 68.

Filed under: Dubai •Sports


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