Wilson Seals Phoenix Open, Bjorn Claims Qatar Masters
Wilson kissing the Phoenix trophy
Mark Wilson won the phoenix Open after winning a tough play-off against compatriot and fellow Jason Dufner. The last day saw the two sharing the top spot, but it was Wilson to claim the trophy following a seven-foot birdie putt on the second hole.
Wilson grabbed his second trophy of the season, fourth in career, after he also claimed the Hawaiian Sony Open last month. Both the 36-year-old American and Dufner finished the tournament 18-under-par 266, but it was Wilson to claim the play-off and go home with the trophy.
Wilson finished the fourth round 5-under-par 66, while Dufner pushed the game into a decisive play after posting 69 in the fourth round. Wilson was one step from losing the game, his tee shot rolling just a few yards from the water, but landing finally in a bunker. The game ended at the par-four 10th.
“I’m just riding the train as long as I can. This is the best golf I’ve ever played in my life,” said happy Wilson at the end of the thriller. On the other side, Dufner claimed that his fatigue stopped him from providing a better play. “I’ve been close a couple of times the last two or three years. This kind of adds to that. Hopefully I can get one done sometime this year,” he added.
Vijay Singh of Fiji and Scottish Martin Laird shared the third place two shots behind the winner, while Nick Watney, J.B. Holmes and Gary Woodland finished 15-under-par 269. Tommy Gainey, Chris Couch, Y.E. Yang, Brandt Snedeker and Webb Simpson shared the eighth position with 14-under-par 270. Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson went 29th and had 10-under-par 274.
Thomas Bjorn triumphs in Qatar
Bjorn didn’t mind hitting under windy conditions at the Qatar Masters as he claimed the competition four shots ahead of his main follower Alvaro Quiros of Spain. He won the trophy after a superb fourth-round that saw him getting a bogey-free to finish the Masters 14-under-par 274 (69 in the fourth term).
The Dane grabbed his 11th title on the European Tour to climb on the 60th position in the world ranking. “All parts of the game were well this week. I fought when I needed to and I kept it together and I never got ahead of myself. So that’s a good day’s work,” he said.
First-round leader Markus Brier of Austria, who came in Qatar due to his sponsor’s invitation, shared the third place with Rafael Cabrera Bello of Spain as they both finished 9-under-par 279. David Howell came fifth, five strokes behind the leader, while Thomas Aiken, Robert Karlsson and Soren Hansen went 6-under-par 282. Sergio Garcia, Richard Finch and Victor Dubuisson finished with 5-under-par 283.11
