Jamie Donaldson Gets Second European Tour Win in Abu Dhabi HSBC

Jamie Donaldson picked up his second European Tour title in seven months by winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Sunday. 

Donaldson fired a final-round 68 to win by one stroke over 54-hole leader Justin Rose. His first win came at the 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush last July.

Donaldson first turned professional in 2000, won two events on the 2001 Challenge Tour and earned full European Tour playing privileges for 2002. Back problems hampered his progress and he lost his European Tour card in 2004.

Back on the Challenge Tour in 2007 he won the Abierto Telefonica de Guatemala and moved back to the big tour in 2008.

Since returning, he has consistently finished inside the Top 50 on the European Tour and has moved up to No. 47 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).

His win this week in Abu Dhabi will make him eligible for the lucrative World Golf Championship events. 

Justin Rose held the lead after 54 holes in Abu Dhabi but was not able to hold off the charging Donaldson. Rose had a very good 2012 and is ranked No. 5 on the OWGR. He has to be rated as one of the favorites to win a major in 2013.

Thorbjorn Olesen joined Rose at joint second. Ricardo Santos claimed fourth and Branden Grace rounded out the top five.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both missed the cut on Friday at Abu Dhabi. The lone American left in the field, Jason Dufner finished T-9.