Westwood and Cabrera-Bello Win ODDC CHALLENGE MATCH

Defending champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello flashed an early warning to his rivals when the in-form Spaniard combined well with Lee Westwood to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Challenge Match at Jebel Ali Golf Resort on Tuesday.

The formidable duo carded an impressive four-under score, beating their nearest challengers Henrik Stenson and Thomas Levet by a good two shots.

Michael Harradine, playing in the company of India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, rolled in a long putt on the closing ninth hole to draw level par, finishing third ahead of the American pairing of Mark O’Meara and Alice Cooper, the celebrated rock singer.

Westwood and Cabrera-Bello set the early tone of the match with a birdie-birdie start and kept the momentum rolling all the way through, picking up shots on the seventh and ninth to seal an emphatic win in a match billed as a fun-filled affair that offered fans the chance to watch their favourite players in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Alice Cooper and Mark O’Meara may have finished last, but were a big hit with the fans, who enthusiastically followed the duo, creating an electric atmosphere at the event.

Cabrera-Bello, in particular, couldn’t have asked for a better start to the week. "I’m very excited but I have no idea what to expect as it’ll be the first time I’ve defended a tournament," said Cabrera-Bello, who heads to Dubai in good form, having finished tied 23rd in Abu Dhabi and tied 22nd last week in Qatar after an eight under par final round of 64.

"Going back there, being on the same course that gave me my biggest win and a very big opportunity, it’s going to be a special moment.

"For me that week meant two big things: one, that I could win a very big tournament with an extremely strong field – I think we had the Number Two, Three and Four in the world; and two, it meant I jumped a long way up in the World Ranking and could get into all the huge world events like the majors and World Golf Championships.

"I gained a lot of experience playing in those bigger tournaments last year, alongside fantastic players on world-class courses."

Ziad Baker, Executive Director of Dutco Group, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, presented the prizes.

golf in DUBAi’ – the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic -- is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and DUBAL as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 30, 2013

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