Stephen Gallacher makes history in Dubai as Rory McIlroy blows victory bid
February 2, 2014 -- Updated 1831 GMT (0231 HKT)
Stephen Gallacher became the first man in the history of the Dubai Desert Classic to defend the title.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Stephen Gallacher wins Dubai Desert Classic for second year in a row
- First successful defense in 25-year history of the tournament
- Rory McIlroy stumbles to a two-over 74 to tie for ninth
- Tiger Woods finishes with a flourish but ties for 41st
Overnight leader
Gallacher looked to have blown his chance as he went to the turn with
four bogeys, but he recovered magnificently on the back nine of the
Majils course to claw back the shots with four birdies.
His level-par final round
of 72 left him on 16-under 272, a shot clear of Argentina's Emiliano
Grillo, who had set the clubhouse pace after finishing with a
spectacular eagle for a 66.
McIlroy, who had narrowly
missed out on a $2.5 million prize for a hole in one Saturday,
proceeded to miss out on victory after falling away with a 74.
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He had started the round
two behind playing partner Gallacher, but three bogeys in four holes
after the turn scuppered his chances.
"It was just one of those days," he told gathered reporters.
"I think anything that
sort of could go wrong did. Okay I hit a couple of loose drives, but I
didn't really get away with them or stuff like that. Just sort of, you
know, one of those days."
Gallacher, who had played
the opening two rounds in the illustrious company of world number one
Tiger Woods and McIlroy, admitted he had made it hard for himself after
an appalling start, but his victory has boosted his chances of making
the European Ryder Cup team.
"I never do anything easy I'm afraid," Gallacher told the official European Tour website.
"What a day -- my emotions are gone.
"To win it on the 25th anniversary, it was a good field with all the champions playing, makes it even more special."
The 39-year-old, a
nephew of former European captain Bernard Gallacher, lives just 50km
from Gleneagles, where the 2014 contest is being staged and wants to get
his qualification points in early.
"I'm playing in all the
events now and hopefully the Masters so that will be brilliant. You
don't want to leave it too late so hopefully I can build on it," he
added.
Grillo finished alone in
second place, his best result of his career, with France's Romain
Wattel and Brooks Koepka of the United States a further stroke back on
14-under-par.
Woods birdied his final three holes for a 71, but finished well off the pace on six-under and tied for 41st.
"Unfortunately I turned it around too late," he said.
Meanwhile, former Masters champion Bubba Watson held a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on the PGA Tour.
He carded a third round 68 for 15-under 198 with Kevin Stadler his nearest challenger.
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