Golf Betting
While the world focused on a duel between Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros stole the show – and the title – at the Dubai World Championship. He may have stolen a piece of Paul Lawrie’s heart too, with a final-hole eagle to earn a two-shot victory.
Donald and McIlroy entered the European Tour’s final event of 2011 locked in a tight battle for first place on the money list. A showdown never materialized, though, as an exhausted McIlroy limped to a tie for 11th. By finishing third, Donald became the first player to lead both the U.S. and Europe in earnings the same year.
Meanwhile, big-hitting Quiros served notice that he’ll be a force again in 2012. Steady rounds of 68-64-70-67 totaled 19-under par for the week, good for his second win of 2011 and sixth in 119 career starts.
Lawrie did not make it easy, erasing Quiros’ two-shot lead with five birdies in his first seven holes Sunday. Quiros reclaimed a one-stroke edge heading to the last, and made Lawrie’s closing birdie moot by holing out from across the green.
All wasn’t lost for Lawrie, who jumped from 163rd to 87th on the money list – his best finish since 2002. Behind Donald came Peter Hanson and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel. Quiros, meanwhile, vaulted to 21st in the world rankings and earned an invite to the 2012 Masters.
The 2012 European Tour schedule kicks off January 5 with the Africa Open in East London, South Africa.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
