Rafael Cabrera-Bello Wins Dubai Desert Classic
Rafael Cabrera-Bello has won the Dubai Desert Classic with a 18 under score, followed by Stephen Gallacher and Lee Westwood with a score of -17.
One behind Lee Westwood overnight, the 27 year old Spaniard - whose only previous European Tour victory came at the 2009 Austrian Golf Open - carded a bogey free 68 to reach 18 under and triumph by a solitary stroke.
Three of Cabrera-Bello’s birdies came on the back nine as his rivals struggled to make headway in breezy conditions.
Westwood, who had led by two strokes this morning following a superb eagle at the second but struggled to find his best form on the greens, and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher shared second place after respective rounds of 70 and 69. Both men missed putts to force a play-off on the 18th and the former has now finished as runner-up in this event on three occasions.
Omega Dubai Desert Classic Facts and Figues
First played: 1989
Most wins: 3– Ernie Els, 1994, 2002, 2005
Consecutive wins: None
Youngest winner: Rory McIlroy, 19 years and 273 days, 2009
Oldest winner: Mark O’Meara, 47 year and 54 days, 2004
Lowest 18 hole score: 61 (-11), Ernie Els, 1994
Lowest first 18 hole score: 61 (-11), Ernie Els, 1994
Lowest first 36 hole score: 128 (-16), Tiger Woods, 2001
Lowest first 54 hole score: 196 (-20), Tiger Woods, 2001
Lowest 72 hole score: 266 (-22), Thomas Björn, 2001
Lowest under par winning score: 266 (-22), Thomas Björn, 2001
Lowest final round by a winner: 65 (-7), Robert-Jan Derksen, 2003; Tiger Woods, 2008
Wire-to-wire-winners: Eamonn Darcy, 1990; Seve Ballesteros, 1992; Ernie Els, 1994;
José Coceres, 2000; Rory McIlroy, 2009
Largest 18 hole lead: 5 shots, Ernie Els, 1994
Largest 36 hole lead: 6 shots, Ernie Els, 1994
Largest 54 hole lead: 8 shots, Ernie Els, 1994
Largest winning margin: 6 shots, Ernie Els, 1994
Biggest final round 4 shots, Tiger Woods, 2008
comeback by a winner:
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Feb 12, 2012
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