Desperate Dan sees dream die
DANNY WILLETT suffered the human equivalent of catastrophic engine failure in the Race to Dubai yesterday to end any hope of finishing the season as Europe’s Golfer of the Year.
The Masters champion had played well over the first 36 holes in the DP World Tour Championship and was looking for a low round to boost his chances of catching Open champion Henrik Stenson when the season-long race draws to its conclusion today.
Instead he never got out of first gear over the penultimate lap in the final event, subsiding to a horrific 76 on a day when many of the 60 man field took full advantage of generous pin positions and forward tees to post a flurry of low scores.
One of those looked like being delivered by Rory McIlroy, the man who pipped Willett in the Race to Dubai last year by winning this title, and who was continuing his fine recovery from a 75 on the opening day.
But some golden opportunities went begging and, going for an eagle three at the last, McIlroy, found only the water hazard to run up a bogey. ‘I played some lovely golf but somehow managed to turn a 62 into a 68,’ reflected the Northern Irishman, who now has virtually no chance of holding on to either of the two titles he claimed on the same Sunday last year.
‘There’s still plenty to play for,’ insisted McIlroy, who stands tied 22nd, a distant eight strokes off the lead held by Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, who shot 64.
‘I want to finish on a high note so I can feel good about myself over the next two months before I play again.’
As for Willett — all the way back in 51st place — this is the second year in a row where he led the Race to Dubai for much of the season, only to fall short.
Still, he’ll surely look back and think it’s not the worst place to be, and particularly in a year when he can open the wardrobe at home and find a certain green jacket. ‘You’re obviously doing a lot right if you’re in contention for most of the season but I do want to finish as Europe’s No 1 at least once during my career,’ said the Yorkshireman.
An outrageous fluke has left Stenson in prime position to claim the Race to Dubai for the second time in four years.
Like Willett he was having a nightmare but turned it round with four birdies in his last five holes, including one that was all about luck at the 16th, where a chip destined to finish 20ft past the hole hit the flag and dropped below ground instead. Stenson stands alongside Rory after a 70.
Fellow Swede Alex Noren is now the only man who can catch him but, needing a top two finish to have a chance, he currently stands joint 14th.
As for what will happen in the tournament itself, that’s much harder to predict. Dubuisson holds a one stroke lead over Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and gifted young Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick who shot 66, and 25 year old Tyrrell Hatton, who carded a 67.
Lee Westwood had a chance to join them but missed from 5ft for an eagle at the 18th.
Nevertheless he shot 69 and is only two behind.