Dubai Desert Classic.

The Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour was first staged in 1989, and has become a permanent fixture in the diaries of many top international players.

In 2010, Miguel Angel Jiménez won the tournament in a play-off against Lee Westwood.

This was the Spaniard’s first victory since the 2008 BMW PGA Championship and saw him end his winless streak at another tournament, at which BMW is involved as Official Car Partner. Jiménez is the only player to have won the BMW International Open, BMW Asian Open (both in 2004) and the BMW PGA Championship.

Jiménez and Westwood, who both hit final rounds of 72, ended their final rounds level on 11 under par (277 shots). The third extra hole proved to be the decisive one with Jiménez sinking his putt for par from roughly a metre, while Westwood missed from a similar distance.

Third place at the Emirates Golf Club went to Thongchai Jaidee from Thailand (-10). One shot further back, Germany’s Martin Kaymer tied for fourth place with Italian Edoardo Monlinari.
 

BMW has long been co-sponsor of this tournament, which was held for the 21th time in 2010. As well as Tiger Woods, previous winners of the Dubai Dessert Classic include Mark O’Meara, Mark James, Severiano Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, José Maria Olazábal, David Howell, Thomas Björn and Ernie Els.