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Rock wins in Abu Dhabi

by Setanta Staff , 29 January 2012

England's Robert Rock held off the challenge of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.


It was only Rock's second win in 226 European Tour events, but the 117th world-ranked player survived a nervy last hole to beat McIlroy by one shot and Woods, Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn by two.

Rock was two ahead on the tee at the par five 18th, but pushed his drive into the hazard on the right.

The 34-year-old did not panic and try to hack his way out, but chose to take a penalty drop knowing that a six would be good enough unless Woods eagled.

 Woods went into the rough, allowing Rock to win the title on the 18th despite a two-putt bogey.

"I really can't believe I have done that today," Rock said on Sky Sports after the win.

"I was just very happy to be playing with Tiger. That's a special honour in itself."

Woods struggled to a 72, hitting only one fairway on the back nine and only six greens in all.

"I was just a touch off," said the former world number one.

"But Robert played great. He made a couple of key up-and-downs and a couple of beautiful iron shots down the stretch."

McIlroy birdied the last for a 69 to be runner-up for the second year in a row.

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