Jimenez beats Westwood in playoff in Dubai

Feb 7, 9:56 am EST

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated Lee Westwood on the third hole of a sudden death playoff Sunday to win the Dubai Desert Classic.

Westwood missed a five-foot par putt on the third playoff hole to leave Jimenez with a four-footer for the win, which he calmly sank for the 16th victory of his career.

“After so many years of coming to Dubai and playing well, I am proud to have finally won this title,” the Spaniard said. “I have always loved the course, the ambiance and the people here.”

Both players went into the final day with a share of the lead and shot an even-par 72 in the final round, with Westwood making a birdie on the 18th to force the playoff.

The Englishman then missed two birdie putts from within 20 feet on the first two playoff holes that could have clinched the win, while Jimenez made a 12-footer on the second to save par.

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Alvaro Quiros or Spain were also tied for the overnight lead but faded in the final round. Thongchai shot a 73 to finish third, while Quiros ended up in a tie for sixth after a 75 as strong crosswinds and faster greens led to higher scores than in previous rounds at the Emirates Golf Club.

One player who broke the mold, however, was Tom Watson. The 60-year-old veteran once again showed his mastery of windy conditions to shoot a 68—his best score of the week— and climb to a share of eighth place on his first visit to Dubai.

“The wind made it a more difficult golf course,” Watson said. “And since I had not played it before this week I was pretty happy about the way I played. But my driving probably wasn’t as good as it need to be to contend for the title.”

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Updated Feb 7, 9:56 am EST
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  • James
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    James Tue Feb 09, 2010 01:46 am PST Report Abuse
    Westwood shoulda and Jimenez was lucky is pure CRAP; Luck is a very big part of golf, even at the pro level. 1982 U.S.Open; Watsons chip on 17, if it does not slam dunk, he is off the green and chipping again and Jack wins his Fifth U.S.Open; Larry Mizes' Slam dunk in the 1987 Masters; without the pin he is off the green and in big trouble. One more slam dunk; Birdie Kim a couple of years ago in the Womens U.S.Open. How about Fred Couples' ball on number 12 in the 1992 Masters? It SHOULDA rolled back into the hazard. Luck is a big part of golf. Three cheers for Miguel Angel Jimenez, the winner, NOT t(he runner-up!!
  • ScottZ
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    ScottZ Mon Feb 08, 2010 07:48 am PST Report Abuse
    I was standing on the 15th Tee watching Miguel stripe the long iron.. ball begins to fly straight at the flag without hook or draw. I walked ahead of him to see it had landed some 12 feet beyond the pin. After playing partner Thongchai hits out of the left hand bunker.. Miguel takes a poke with the flat stick and comes up short. Sheez'us. He left 3 short yesterday and now this one.. with three holes left, and Lee Westwood down by one stroke, and behind him. He was leading by one and could have expanded the margin.. For the life of me I don't know how he won this tourney after repeatedly leaving so much 'meat on the bone' but he did and I was darn glad to follow this 46 year old on Sunday to victory. Spain could use the good news. Cheers!
  • B-Man
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    B-Man Mon Feb 08, 2010 04:33 am PST Report Abuse
    Gee, Wm T. Could it possibly be because this was a European PGA tour event????? Sorry, not every tourney will have a Tiger, Phil or Stricker in it. You'll just have to settle for "nobodies" like Miguel Angel Jimenez, Lee Westwood, Alvaro Quiros, Paul Casey, Adam Scott, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, etc. And by the way, Tom Watson has an open invitation to play anywhere in the world he wants. And he has more golf talent in his left pinky then I have in my whole body....
  • Turbo
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    Turbo Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:08 pm PST Report Abuse
    GO TOM!!!!!! I can only hope to keep playing as well in my 60's. If only I could play that well now in my late 20's!!
  • Mynameisasecret Iforgotmylastname
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    Mynameisasecret Iforgotmy ... Sun Feb 07, 2010 06:59 pm PST Report Abuse
    Here's my recap of this tournament: Unbelievable performance by Tom Watson, Unbelievably unlucky for Lee Westwood, and unbelievably lucky for Miguel Angel Jumenez. The winner should've been Westwood because Jimenez was incredibly lucky that his 3rd shot in 1st playoff hole landed an inch from the water. And he made every putt, while Lee Westwood missed every putt in that playoff. And it's interesting how Tom Watson can still play this well at age 60.
  • Dick H.
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    Dick H. Sun Feb 07, 2010 05:02 pm PST Report Abuse
    Where is Omar Uresti?
  • HelpingBrainwashedSECfools
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    HelpingBrainwashedSECfool ... Fri Feb 05, 2010 01:10 pm PST Report Abuse
    >>of Thailand shot a 6-under 66<<

    Read before posting!

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