
Rafa edges Westwood in Dubai
Rafael Cabrera-Bello held his nerve to seal a big win at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.
The Spaniard, one behind Lee Westwood overnight, produced a bogey-free, four-under-par 68 in the final round at a breezy Emirates Golf Club to deny his more favoured opponent and complete the biggest win of his
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Cabrera-Bello finished on an 18 under par aggregate, one shot clear of Westwood, whose 70 did not prove quite enough on the day, and Scot Stephen Gallacher, who closed with a 69.
Another Dane, Thomas Bjorn, finished a further stroke adrift after 71, while a disappointing 74 from Germany's Martin Kaymer, who could not sink a putt all day, saw him finish in tie for 13th place on 11 under.
Westwood, the English World No 3 and overnight leader, started the day superbly with an eagle three at the par-five second hole that extended his lead to two shots, but a bogey at the par-four fifth and only one solitary birdie on the back nine meant he ended up making no further gains.
27-year-old Cabrera-Bello, whose only previous European Tour victory came at the 2009 Austrian Golf Open, saved three of his four birdies on Sunday for the back nine as he first drew level with Westwood and then moved a crucial shot clear after a decisive birdie at the par-four 17th.
"It's an unbelievable feeling and it's been a really spectacular week for me," Cabrera-Bello told Sky Sports.
"With so many big, big names I felt really proud of my
cheap Scotty Cameron Studio Select Laguna 2 Putter I wanted to fight, I stayed calm, I did everything that I've read we should do in these type of situations.
"I had ups and downs of course, but overall I think I played cheap Scotty Cameron Studio Select Laguna 2 Puttergreat.
Westwood and Gallacher, the final pairing of the day, each had an opportunity on the 18th to sink a putt that would have forced a play-off, but neither could make any magic happen on the final green.
Gallacher said: "I would have loved to have made the play-off. But fair play to Rafa, he played cheap Scotty Cameron Studio Select Laguna 2 Putter well, and 18 under is a good score in these conditions.
"I struggled a bit off the tee today but I hit a lot of good iron shots and made a few putts at the right time. But I had a chance to sort of get into the play-off on the last, so (I'm) just a wee bit disappointed but happy overall."
It's Westwood's third runner-up finish in Dubai as he once again came agonisingly close to the first prize. His only consolation is that he has taken the world number two spot back off Rory McIlroy - by only 0.004 ranking points.
McIlroy, who opened his professional account with a victory here in 2009, did not end up being as much of a factor as some might have thought after a disappointing three-over-par front nine that included a bogey at the first and a double-bogey at the ninth.
He came back superbly after the turn, picking up four birdies and eventually signing for a 71, but it was never going to be enough to challenge for the lead.