Robert Karlsson beat Ian Poulter to win golf’s Dubai World Championship on Nov. 28th after birdying the second playoff hole. Karlsson caught a break on the par-five hole though as Poulter was given a one-shot penalty after his ball marker moved. It was Karlsson’s 11th European Tour victory and his second one this season.
Karlsson said it was a fantastic day and he was quite happy after Poulter received the penalty shot as it made things a bit easier for him. Karlsson ended the final round with a five-under 67. Poulter, who was leading by two strokes after the third round, finished the day with a two-under 70. They were both tied for the lead at 14 under with 274 after regulation play.
The top-ranked golf player in the world, Lee Westwood, who won the tournament last year, came in at four-under par for 68 on the last round and ended up tied with Alvaro Quiros for third place. Quiros shot a 67 on the round and he and Westwood were just one stroke behind Poulter and Karlsson as they finished the tournament at 13 under par.
Martin Kaymer, the reigning PGA champion, won the Race to Dubai contest and pocketed a bonus of 1,092,418 Euros for his excellent play this season. He won his first major this year and was also a member of the Ryder Cup’s winning team. He finished the Dubai tournament at six-under par 282 and was tied for 13th place.
But while Kaymer enjoyed a great season, it was Karlsson who shone over the four days in Dubai. He got a fine start in the last round with birdies on the first two holes. He then had an eagle on the third hole and was a shot in front of Poulter at that point. He extended his lead after Poulter bogeyed on the third hole, but then hit a snag as he three-putted the fourth and sixth holes while bogeying them and was tied with Poulter.
Poulter then birdied the seventh hole and went a stroke in front. Karlsson birdied the 10th and they were tied for the lead once again. Karlsson regained the lead with a birdie on the 11th hole. The see-saw battle continued though as Poulter birdied the 11th and 12th holes to take a one-stroke lead again. However, Karlsson of Sweden, then tied things up on the last hole with a birdie. Poulter came close to winning it with a chance for a birdie himself, but his putt just missed the hole.
The playoff took place on the par-five 18th hole and both birdied on the first playoff. Karlsson then won it on the next attempt.