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Rising star Kaymer holds off Westwood to win in Abu Dhabi

20/01/2008

Rising star Martin Kaymer held off a late challenge by Lee Westwood to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by four shots.

The German wins his maiden Tour title after a final round of two-over par 74 to finish on 15-under.

Westwood carded 70 to finish on 11-under along with Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who shot a 71.

England's Westwood, who carded a seven-under-par 65 yesterday, had a chance to move within one shot of Kaymer with five holes to play but missed a 10ft downhill putt.

Westwood also missed a 20ft birdie at the 16th, then hit his second shot at the 17th over the back of the green before scrambling a par four.

Kaymer, who was six strokes clear after three rounds, had a comfortable three-stroke cushion heading down the 18th fairway.

The 23-year-old rookie of the year fired a birdie, only his second of the day, to clinch victory.

Kaymer said he struck to his game plan to make the fairways and greens, to put pressure on his rivals to catch him.

"It was a really tough round, especially between 12 and 15 because it was hard to make pars, but I was patient and I was always thinking that they had to catch me and it worked out," Kaymer said.

"Six shots is a lot but it doesn't feel like a lot and the other guys were chasing me the whole time. There was a lot of pressure on the back nine and it is an unbelievable feeling to win."

Worksop golfer Westwood, who moves top of the Order of Merit, said he was not too disappointed at missing out on victory.

"I played well over the weekend which is a good time to play well and I can't complain with second," Westwood said.

"I felt a little bit rusty over the first few days and on the greens I was below average.

"Today I didn't really make any putts so it was only the third round when things have gone in and you can't expect to win golf tournaments if you only have one good putting round."