Sergio Garcia of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club (DGC) in Doha yesterday. Garcia became the second Spaniard after Alvaro Quiros to win the Qatar Masters when he edged Finland’s Mikko Ilonen in a thrilling play-off battle at DGC.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Title favourite Sergio Garcia yesterday ended a personal title drought by winning the Qatar Masters in a dramatic play-off battle against Finland’s Mikko Ilonen in fading light at the Doha Golf Club (DGC).
Without a title since his win in October 2011, Garcia yesterday finished the third play-off hole with a tap-in birdie putt as the popular 34-year-old capped a dream run for Spaniard golfers by bagging the top prize of $416,660.
Yesterday’s sublime finish by Garcia followed last week’s title triumph in Abu Dhabi by Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal who missed the cut at DGC.
Garcia’s three-shot comeback is the largest of the 2014 European Tour, following on from compatriot Larrazabal’s effort in Abu Dhabi last week.
It was Garcia’s 11th European Tour win and a marvellous recovery after a heartbreak second-finish at DGC last year when Englishman Chris Wood won the title in a dramatic finish.
Appearing for the ninth time at DGC, Garcia yesterday managed his sixth top-10 finish at Qatar Masters.
Starting at 10 under in bright sunshine, Garcia yesterday fired seven birdies to force a play-off against Ilonen (six under 66) as both players were tied at 16 under par 272 in regulation play.
While Garcia became the 170th European Title winner from Spain, a heartbroken Ikonen walked off with $277,770 following a tense play-off battle decided on the 18th hole.
Garcia said he revels in a play-off battle.
“I don’t know how much pressure was there. I almost feel less pressure,” Garcia said after getting hold of the “Mother of Pearl” trophy.
“You almost feel you have had a great week,” he added.
“It is kind of a little bit of a bonus because you know it has been a great week already.
“This win was what I wanted last year but I couldn’t finish it off,” the Spaniard recalled.
“But I made it this week. It has been a long week,” Garcia said with his trademark smile in place.
“I was more nervous on the 18th than I was in the play-off,” Garcia said.
After staging a mini-recovery on the second play-off hole - when he managed an amazing bunker shot - Garcia sealed the par five hole 18 in four clean shots as Ikonen was left ruining his third tee-off shot that landed away from the fairway.
Earlier, Denmark’s Thorbjorn and overnight leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain finished with overall cards of 15 under par 273.
Thorbjorn repeated his performance from third round on Friday as he carded a four under 68 yesterday while Cabrera-Bello lost momentum he gained on Friday as he suffered a couple of bogeys (holes 8 and 15) to lose ground on Garcia and Ikonen.
Alejandro Canizares of Spain, George Coetzee of South Africa, compatriot Thomas Aiken and Steve Webster of England closed the proceedings in Doha with 14 under par 274.
Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson and South Africa’s Dawie van der Walt finished joint at 13 under par 275.
Garcia later said he was pleased to win the Qatar Masters title after almost nailing it last year.
“It was nice to win this. Last year was a close call but I am excited to get the beautiful - but heavy - trophy,” Garcia said to laughter in the media room.
“It is a good start to the season,” Garcia said. “Good to win again on the European Tour. I couldn’t have asked for more,” he added.
“He (Ilonen) had his chances but missed,” Garcia said when asked about his play-off rival from Finland.
“It is good to get Ryder Cup points so early in the season,” Garcia said.
“We will see how it goes. There’s a still a long way to go before the Ryder Cup,” the Spaniard said.
“On the first day I played terrible but got things going later. I have a beautiful group of people around me so it is great to win in that situation.
“My goal is to keep improving,” Garcia said. “That’s my goal really.”THE PENINSULA
