South Africa’s Ernie Els sunk a magnificent 18-footer for eagle-three at the last to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the third time here on Sunday.
The priceless putt edged the world number three one stroke clear of overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain who three-putted on the same green to fall into a share of second with Welshman Stephen Dodd.
”For a long while it seemed that it was not going to be my week and then the 18th changed everything,” said Els.
”I didn’t like my chances with the way I played 17, and if Miguel had made that putt [on the 17th] that would have been tickets, but it just slipped past.
”I can’t remember the last time I won a tournament with an eagle at the last. This is a big win for me.”
The overnight leader by one, Jimenez had looked well in command of the final round moving two strokes clear before allowing Els and the unheralded Dodd back into the running with a ugly bogey six at the 13th.
But he kept his cool and eased back ahead again at the par-four 16th when he sunk a crucial 12-footer for birdie seconds after playing partner Els had gone agonisingly close from a similar distance.
Dodd, playing the best golf of his career, birdied the par-five last to finish at 18 under leaving Jimenez needing a birdie to win and with Els his playing partner in the final pairing requiring an eagle.
Both were on the lakeside green in two, Els with into the heart of the green a seven-iron from 178 yards out, but Jimenez was a long way off and his first putt faded away 12-foot to the side.
Els then sunk his 18-footer for eagle, punching the air in delight, and seconds later Jimenez looked to the skies as his birdie putt slipped past.
The South African, winning for the first time this year after a three-week break back home ”to recharge the batteries”, closed with a four-under 68 for a 19-under-par total of 269.
Jimenez with a final 70 and Dodd with a 66 were one stroke back and Montgomerie was fourth a further two strokes back after closing with a 69.
Els is staying in the Gulf for next week’s European Tour event in Qatar before he heads back to the United States to finish his preparations for the Masters.
”It’s a very important win for me as it’s the start of my buildup to the Masters,” he said.
”I needed a win before the Masters and to do it after a three-week break makes me doubly happy.”
”But I know what Miguel Angel is going through. I have had a few tournaments I should have won and didn’t and know what it feels like.”
Els is the first three-time winner of the Dubai Desert Classic following his triumphs in 1994 and in 2002. – Sapa-AFP