• Dubai World Championship, Round Four

Quiros claims Dubai title; Donald does the double

ESPN staff
December 11, 2011
Alvaro Quiros holed an eagle putt at 18 © Getty Images
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Alvaro Quiros claimed the Dubai World Championship title on Sunday, while Luke Donald became the first man to top the money lists on the European and PGA Tours.

Overnight leader Quiros holed an eagle putt on 18 to finish at 19 under, two shots clear of Paul Lawrie in second and three ahead of Donald in third.

Quiros did not sail to a serene coronation: he had only one par on the front nine, recording five birdies and three bogeys, then found himself sharing the lead with Lawrie on the home stretch. But a birdie at 14 and then the dramatic eagle on 18, which put the seal on a round of 66, took him to the title.

World No. 1 Donald looked in danger of losing his spot in the record books when he ended Thursday at level par, but across the subsequent three days he was back to his best, particularly with the irons. He finished with a 66, and did not record a bogey over his last 46 holes.

That was a fitting end to a glorious year for Donald who, although still without a major, has been the most consistent player on the planet in 2011, recording 23 top tens from 30 events and winning four times worldwide.

He said: "It was a hard to concentrate in a way, I had so many mixed emotions, but I tried to finish strong - and to do so with three birdies was a nice way to finish the year off. I didn't think [the double] was possible. I played consistent golf all year and it's testament to my hard work - it's nice to see that paying off."

Rory McIlroy needed to win the tournament to have any chance of overhauling Donald in the Race to Dubai, but he finished nine under after his third successive round of 71. McIlroy's putter denied him the chance to produce the heroics required on Sunday, and his challenge petered out with seven successive pars. Before that, he managed two birdies and a bogey.

Lee Westwood looked a shadow of his normal self throughout, and completed well off the pace at three under. Ian Poulter was five under, three shots behind Paul Casey.

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