Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal holed a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship ahead of Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy after a truly dramatic opening to the European Tour’s Middle East Swing.
The 30-year-old from Barcelona, whose most recent win had come almost three years ago in Germany, had left his attempt for eagle on the par five closing hole short, before holding his nerve to make the birdie to complete a final round of 67 to finish at 14-under and one shot clear of Mickelson and McIlroy.
After completing his round, Larrazabal could still have been caught by Phil Mickelson. The five-time major champion looked to have fallen out of contention after a treble bogey on the 13th, but he rebounded with birdies on the 14th and 16th. The Open Champion, standing in the fairway on the 18th required a closing eagle to tie the Spaniard, and he found the green in two. However, the 43-year-old had to settle for a birdie after two-putting from 50 feet to finish one back a 13-under.
With 54-hole leader Craig Lee faltering to a final round of 77, Rory McIlroy looked to have taken advantage, after playing his opening ten holes in three-under. However, the world number seven, who was imperious from tee to green at times this week, missed a number of birdie chances coming in, and will be left to rue the two-shot penalty he incurred on Saturday.
Signing for a final round of 68 and 72-hole total of 13-under, those two shots lost would ultimately become defining as he settled for a tie for second alongside Mickelson.
“I beat two of the three most talented guys in my era,” said Larrazabal, who reflected on his third European Tour win.
“The first win in France my brother says was the win of talent. I had 100 putts in 72 holes, not even the best Tiger Woods could have beaten me that week.
“The second win in Munich was one of belief. This is the win of hard work and team work. I worked so hard for the last two years and over the winter and I beat two of the three most talented guys in my era.”
Craig Lee’s disappointing final round created a power vacuum at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with the lead changing at various times throughout the day.
Phil Mickelson had looked to have been in command, after three birdies in his opening ten holes. However, the world number five would come unstuck at the 13th, after finding a bush with his tee shot. Rather than taking a drop, the Californian would attempt to play the shot back handed, but the ball bounced up and caught the clubface leading to a double hit. After taking a penalty drop, the three shots lost would ultimately prove to be too great to recover from.
With the door now ajar, Larrazabal took full advantage by making a brilliant birdie on the 13th, before clinching the title with the two-putt birdie on the 18th after a terrifically struck five-wood. After three years, and a great deal of endeavour, it was a sweet victory for the Spaniard.
“It feels great,” said Larrazabal. “Only me and my team know how much we’ve worked during the last three years.
“I want to thank so many people starting with my brand Callaway – they set up a driver I hit 20-25 metres further. Then I want to thank my team and my girlfriend. It’s just unbelievable.
“The birdie at 13 gave me the confidence to keep it going and I hit great shots coming in. The five wood at 18 is maybe the best shot of my golfing career.”
It was a day that left unmitigated joy for Larrazabal, but a sense of regret for McIlroy, who looked back to his best form throughout the week.
“It's frustrating - I've played well the whole week,” admitted two-time major champion. “It's a very positive start to the season so I'm not going to let one little negative ruin that.
“I came in here telling everyone that I'm really happy with my game and done some good work and felt like it was coming together for me at the end of last year. I've continued that on, so I’m really excited for the rest of the season.
“I’ve got a week off now to prepare for Dubai and give it another run there and see if I can get the win there.”
Phil Mickelson reflected upon his defining moment on the 13th, but was pleased with the manner he played following his disappointing opening round of 73.
“It never crossed my mind it might double hit,” Mickelson said. “I was just trying to dribble it out of the bush because I couldn't get the unplayable lie to give me a shot without stroke and distance. I felt it was worth the risk.
“When it hit the club, not only did it cost me a penalty stroke but it also stopped the ball from going to a spot where I could hit it again. So it was like a two-shot hit of the club, essentially. If I could just have got the ball to go 10 feet, it would have been fine. I make my bogey, I try to make up ground later on. It happens, though, unfortunately.”
In the end, Mickelson’s loss was Pablo Larrazabal’s gain, after a dramatic day that the Spaniard, nor those who witnessed it, will forget anytime soon.