2011 Dubai Classic: Top 5 Moments From the Desert Tournament
When it was all said and done, Tiger Woods didn't turn out to be the number-one story from this year's Dubai Classic. The victory by Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, only a week after he finished second in Qatar last week, and his ability to hold off many of the world's top players, ended up being the biggest story of the weekend.
Quiros held off such names as Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods on Sunday. In fact, heading into the final round, no fewer than 20 players were within three shots of the top spot.
Here are the top five moments from the tournament in the desert, the Dubai Classic in the United Arab Emirates.
5. Quiros' Chip-In Eagle On the 2nd
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Quiros had one of the more interesting final rounds for someone who ended up with a victory. One of the highlights of the round was his chip-in eagle on the second hole, which propellled him past a host of golfers and into the lead.
4. Woods, Westwood and Kaymer Pairing
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It was the first time in 17 years on a European Tour event that the top three players in the world were paired together.
For the first two rounds, the number one player in the world, Lee Westwood, along with number two Martin Kaymer and third-ranked Tiger Woods played alongside each other.
It was the first time Woods and Kaymer had ever played together.
All three players played well the first two days, putting themselves in contention for the weekend. But all three struggled during the final two rounds. Westwood ended up in a tie for 15th, Woods in a tie for 20th, and Kaymer in a tie for 31st.
Woods' 66 on Friday was the low score in the field for the second round.
3. Quiros' Triple Bogey On Number 8 Nearly Did Him In
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Although he did end up hoisting the rather large trophy in the end, the Spaniard did make it interesting with a triple bogey on the 8th hole. The triple dropped him out of the lead, which he had held since his eagle on the second hole.
"In my case, I want to think I managed the difficult situations well today," Quiros said afterward.
Indeed, he followed up the triple bogey with a birdie on the next hole.
Mischief managed.
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2. Kingston's 30-Foot Putt Lips Out, Denying Him a Chance at a Play-Off
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South African James Kingston ended up in a second-place tie with Anders Hansen, just one stroke back of Quiros.
Kingston played well during the final round, shooting the low-round of the day at five-under. He birdied the first three holes of the day, and also birdied the 17th to get within one of the lead. He then had a beautiful 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole lip out.
"I played nicely," Kingston said afterward.... It was a disappointing putt on number 18, but it was not to be this time."
1. Ace On No. 11 Lifts Quiros To Victory
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It wasn't quite as dramatic as getting a hole-in-one on the final hole to win, but it was darn close.
Quiros managed a timely ace on the 11th hole. This was just three holes after the triple bogey on number 8, which was undoubtedly still fresh in his mind.
Quiros his a wedge on the 161-yard par 3.
"It was the perfect shot. Once a year it happens," he said. "It had to be one of the most exciting moments of my career."
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