Alvaro Quiros Wins Dubai Desert Classic As Tiger Woods Fades In Final Round

Despite a strong field that included the world’s top three players, relative unknown Alvaro Quiros came away with the victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Quiros shot a final round four-under 68 to finish at 11-under for the tournament, one shot ahead of Anders Hansen and James Kingston. It was Quiros’ third consecutive 68, part of a string of strong play that more than made up for an opening round 73 and allowed him to win the Dubai Desert Classic with an cumulative 277 score.

As the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic sets to being on Saturday, the world’s top three players-- Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer -- will likely be playing for much more than just the tournament championship. According to AP, where the three top players finish in the tournament could determine how the players fit in the world rankings next week:

The third round for the Dubai Desert Classic, which reportedly will be much windier than the first two rounds, will feature Woods paired with Dane Anders Hansen, Kaymer with Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed and Westwood with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson.

Tiger Woods will play under the lights along with the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 golfers during a par-3 challenge at Emirates Golf Club’s par-3 course Monday evening. Woods is teamed up with Mark O’Meara. They will play the best tee-shot and alternate from there. The tournament is a recent tradition to the men’s and women’s events played in Dubai.

Rowells, currently deployed with the 401st Army Field Support Brigade, has a nine handicap.