Omega Dubai Desert Classic (EURO Tour) Smack Talk Thread - Possible Spoilers!!!

[Rye]

McIlroy out to make history in Dubai

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Twelve months ago at the Emirates Golf Club, Rory McIlroy announced himself on the world stage with his maiden European Tour victory. Now the Northern Irishman is back, aiming to successfully defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title and, in doing so, carve another niche in golf’s record books.

The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is the most established of the three tournaments which go to make up The European Tour’s Gulf Swing, having begun life in 1989, but over the past 20 years no-one has claimed the distinctive Arabian coffee pot trophy in successive seasons.

Now McIlroy has the chance to alter that statistic and continue a remarkable rise to global prominence in the game; progress marked by the fact he was the youngest player in history to make it into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of the 2008 season as well as only the second 20 year old, behind Sergio Garcia, to feature in the top ten.

An additional incentive for the young man from Holywood is the fact that, should he triumph again come Sunday night, he would be – at 20 years and 279 days – the youngest player to successfully defend a title in European Tour history.

“After what happened last year, the Desert Classic will always have a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to returning to defend my title,” he said.

“Your maiden victory on The European Tour is always a wonderful moment and it was made all the more special to have my mum and dad there beside the 18th green watching me hole the winning putt along with everyone from ISM who have been so helpful to me in my career.

“I really kicked on from there during the season and put in a lot of solid performances to help me make a big move up the World Rankings. I am looking forward to returning to Dubai to see all the many friends I made there last year and, of course, I hope I can produce a similar result.”

As has been the case during the past two weeks in the Gulf, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has attracted a superb field, all players hoping to follow in the footsteps of Martin Kaymer who triumphed in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago and Robert Karlsson who took the trophy last Sunday in Qatar.

Both Karlsson and Kaymer, who now occupy second and third place respectively in The Race to Dubai standings, will tee up on the Majlis Course alongside the man who currently leads the way – South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel – while a plethora of European Tour stars will have their eye on the lion’s share of the US$2,500,000 prize fund.

Included in that number is Dubai resident Henrik Stenson, the last European winner of the trophy before McIlroy in 2007, and the man who finished third behind McIlroy and Justin Rose 12 months ago.

“The Dubai Desert Classic is one of my favourite weeks on the tour and I always look forward to it,” said the Swede. “If you look at my record, I think it speaks for itself. I’ve done well because I’m familiar with the Majlis Course having played there a number of times. The key to producing a low score there, I think, depends on how well you putt.”

Aside from the strong European contingent, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has once again attracted an eclectic international field including several players from the United States all hoping to emulate Mark O’Meara who lifted the title in 2004.

Most notable debutant this year is Tom Watson – who thrilled the world of golf during an emotional Open Championship at Turnberry last July – and who will be making his first visit to a regular European Tour event since he competed in the 1993 German Masters in Stuttgart.

 “I’m looking forward to visiting Dubai since I have heard so many good things about it,” said the 60 year old.  “I’m very appreciative for the invitation to compete as the tournament has attracted some of the best golfers in the world and the winners’ list is impressive.”

[Rye]

Miguel Angel Jiménez beat Lee Westwood at the third play-off hole to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic following a thrilling see-saw final day at Emirates Golf Club.

[Rye]

Didn't even realize Tom Watson was in the field. He finished T8 at -6. Pretty good for a 60 year old.

[dbvogey]

Didn't even realize Tom Watson was in the field. He finished T8 at -6. Pretty good for a 60 year old.

Made a nice 68 on Sunday while the rest of the field backed up a bit.  I am watching now.

[Rye]

I am watching now.

Me too.

[br61]

Me too.

I already knew who won but I like to see how it unfolded. Good props for an old fart, Watson. He can still play with young pups.

[The Situation]

The Mechanic made a great up and down on the 2nd playoff hole! 

[CDBomb]

I like to see the players think.

Does anybody else have any thoughts about Westwood's two playoff-plays on 18?  Twice hit superb drives, putting himself into a position to go for the green in 2.  Jimenez never could. 

And twice Westwood hit his seconds to pin-high, but chose very conservative lines that left him with more work to do and he couldn't close out the playoff.

There's nothing easier than second-guessing in golf; and I suppose that is exactly what I am doing here.  But it seems as though more and more, courses that are designed to invite and challenge the heroic shot on a closing Par 5 that can be hit in 2 with some risk, contenders are not taking the risk.

[mr_divots]

I thought the course setup sucked. Too much rough and gouging out, -especially with the new grooves.
Westwood still had 260 in for his second with some strong winds it appeared. He was gutsy as hell to go for it in two, and had to bail left due to the distance of the second shot he faced. Had he not, he was in the drink.

The trees are growing up too much and taking away many of the risk-reward shots on that course, and the gnarly rough was enough of a penalty that all drama was removed if a person strayed into it. If they are going to put a premium on fairways hit, there should be more of a reward for doing so. Leaving 260 in isn't exactly rewarding a good shot. #17 comes to mind as a hole where the trees now block the dogleg and the rough  is so penal there is little reason to go for the green now. Thinking back to years past, the decisions and results by the players were MUCH more entertaining to watch. I am HATING the new grooves on tour. Snooze fest.

[Richard Nixon]

Didn't even realize Tom Watson was in the field. He finished T8 at -6. Pretty good for a 60 year old.

!!!

[CDBomb]

I thought the course setup sucked. Too much rough and gouging out, -especially with the new grooves.
Westwood still had 260 in for his second with some strong winds it appeared. He was gutsy as hell to go for it in two, and had to bail left due to the distance of the second shot he faced. Had he not, he was in the drink.

The trees are growing up too much and taking away many of the risk-reward shots on that course, and the gnarly rough was enough of a penalty that all drama was removed if a person strayed into it. If they are going to put a premium on fairways hit, there should be more of a reward for doing so. Leaving 260 in isn't exactly rewarding a good shot. #17 comes to mind as a hole where the trees now block the dogleg and the rough  is so penal there is little reason to go for the green now. Thinking back to years past, the decisions and results by the players were MUCH more entertaining to watch. I am HATING the new grooves on tour. Snooze fest.

I agree with you that growing deep rough is a very efficient, brutally boring way to control scoring.

I disagree with any suggestion that the groove rule has anything to do with how deep rough is.  Grooves don't pour water onto the rough, and they don't mow the grass

[dbvogey]

I like to see the players think.

Does anybody else have any thoughts about Westwood's two playoff-plays on 18?  Twice hit superb drives, putting himself into a position to go for the green in 2.  Jimenez never could. 

And twice Westwood hit his seconds to pin-high, but chose very conservative lines that left him with more work to do and he couldn't close out the playoff.

There's nothing easier than second-guessing in golf; and I suppose that is exactly what I am doing here.  But it seems as though more and more, courses that are designed to invite and challenge the heroic shot on a closing Par 5 that can be hit in 2 with some risk, contenders are not taking the risk.

CDB,
Good point.

I think that if they had 5 play-offs, Lee would win 4 out of 5 based on hitting it long left, and being rewarded with a fairly straightforward chip down the length of the green, albeit from thick rough.

Jimenez got one out of 5, and he probably deserved it, having been in contention in this tournament previously.

[NewJerichoMan]

Finishing 2nd seems to be Westwood's forte.  He's a chip off the ol' Monty. 

I keed.  He did win the Race to Dubai last year.  Seems like a genuine good guy as well. 

Not to be cute, if this groove thing does actually effect/affect anything, it may be on up-and-downs.  If that's the case, it tilts the pendulum more toward risk than reward on 2nd shots into par 5s and driveable par 4s.  Judgment call if you think that's good or bad.  My opinion is it tends to reward conservative golf. 

[CDBomb]

Finishing 2nd seems to be Westwood's forte.  He's a chip off the ol' Monty. 

I keed.  He did win the Race to Dubai last year.  Seems like a genuine good guy as well. 

Not to be cute, if this groove thing does actually effect/affect anything, it may be on up-and-downs.  If that's the case, it tilts the pendulum more toward risk than reward on 2nd shots into par 5s and driveable par 4s.  Judgment call if you think that's good or bad.  My opinion is it tends to reward conservative golf. 

That's really a great thesis to observe and test through this year.  I suspect you are right.

[Rye]

Not to be cute, if this groove thing does actually effect/affect anything, it may be on up-and-downs.  If that's the case, it tilts the pendulum more toward risk than reward on 2nd shots into par 5s and driveable par 4s.  Judgment call if you think that's good or bad.  My opinion is it tends to reward conservative golf. 

Might be, but Miguel was L-U-C-K-Y that his 3rd shot on a conservative play did not back up an extra inch and ended in the drink.