Spain’s Alvaro Quiros rode a roller-coaster of a round to win the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday.
The 28-year-old from Cadiz clinched the biggest win of his career after an eagle-two at the second, a triple-bogey seven at the eighth, and, above all else, a hole-in-one at the 11th.
He came in with a four-under 68 and an 11-under total of 277 which gave him a one-stroke win over Denmark’s Anders Hansen (70) and James Kingston of South Africa (67).
The win followed his second place finish behind Thomas Bjorn in Qatar last week and hoists Quiros into the lead in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai. He will also move up to 21st in the world rankings, the highest of his career.
Quiros started the day alongside Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia in a seven-way tie for fourth place, one stroke behind joint leaders Rory McIlroy, Thomas Aiken and Hansen, but on the back of the eagle at the second, he grabbed the lead and was three strokes clear of the field after five holes.
However, disaster struck at the eighth.
He hit a wild drive and had to take a drop in sand, which, unfortunately for him, plugged. His next shot ended stuck up a palm tree and he eventually staggered off with a triple-bogey seven. The lead had vanished.
About 20 golfers were in with a shout at that stage, but the risk-taking Quiros made the break with a magnificent hole-in-one at the 11th, where he hit a wedge from 161 yards.
Quiet-man Hansen drew level after grabbing an eagle at the 12th and when Quiros dropped a shot at the 14th, the Dane was briefly ahead, but a birdie for Quiros at the 16th and a bogey for Hansen, playing on the hole behind him, switched their positions and there it remained as both parred their way home.
A subdued Woods never really got going as he sought his first win in 15 months.
Bogeys at two and three gave him a dismal start and although birdies at the sixth and 11th offered a glimmer of hope, he dropped shots at the 12th and 14th to end his challenge with a disappointing 75.
McIlroy also gave himself too much to do with bogeys at one and four.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care