Quiros holds off challengers in Qatar
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Qatar Masters | Round Four | 25 Jan 2009
Spain’s Alvaro Quiros is the 2009 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters champion after his final round of 69 at the Doha Golf Club saw him home by three shots over Henrik Stenson and Louis Oosthuizen.
Course specialist, Stenson, appeared as if he might extend his stunning record in Doha when he holed a 20 foot eagle putt at the 10th to move to 16 under and took a one shot lead over Quiros and Oosthuizen who were playing in the group behind.
At one point as the final pair played the 11th hole, the leading three players were tied at 16 under but an important moment in the tournament came at the par four 12th when Quiros birdied to take a one shot lead over the Stenson and two over Oosthuizen who three putted for bogey on that same hole.
Quiros extended his lead when he birdied the par three 13th and, although he bogeyed the 15th, he made two very good putts at the 16th and 17th to establish an unassailable lead. For Quiros, this was his third European Tour victory to go with the 2006 Alfred Dunhill and the 2008 Portugal Masters championships.
At just 26 years of age and one of the game’s most powerful players, Quiros stands on the verge of a great career.
Stenson bogeyed the par five last after three putting to cost himself second place outright and for the third occasion he has been runner up in this event.
Oosthuizen birdied the final hole to catch Stenson and finished runner up for the second week in succession following Abu Dhabi last week.
The best of the Australians was Aaron Baddeley who closed with a round of 71 to finish 12th, Brett Rumford was 16th, Adam Scott had his best round of the week (67) for 21st place, Rod Pampling was 31st and Scott Strange 60th.
The European Tour now moves back down the Gulf to Dubai for this week’s Dubai Masters.
