How Swede it is
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Exasperated by his poor putting, Tiger Woods headed home after one of those rare weeks in which he did not win a tournament.
He finished two strokes behind winner Henrik Stenson in third place Sunday, unable to make a successful title defense at the Dubai Desert Classic before a gallery that included Roger Federer and Michael Schumacher.
Woods can take consolation in knowing his streak of seven straight victories on the PGA Tour is still alive, but he knows there’s work ahead.
“That’s one of the worst putting weeks I’ve had in a long time,” said Woods, who shot a 3-under-par 69 to finish at 17-under 271. “I’m going to go home and just kind of figure it out. Hopefully get my putting organized before I compete again.”
Stenson (68) began the day two shots behind Ernie Els (71) at Emirates Golf Club. But Stenson, a Swede who lives in Dubai, had five birdies to finish at 269. Els was a shot back, and Woods shared third with Niclas Fasth (68).
On a day when sand kept kicking up, Woods vied for the lead despite bogeying the first, 10th and 11th holes. On the 11th, his chip dribbled into a sand trap. He tossed his club in frustration after another bogey.
“I was trying to hit a soft little chip-and-run and just muffed it right into the bunker,” he said.
On the 13th, Woods barely missed a 30-foot eagle putt, and Woods fell to his knees in dismay. The American tapped in for a birdie, then strolled over to greet Federer.
On the 15th, Woods chipped in from 35 feet for birdie and appeared within striking distance. On the next hole, he hit his second shot from the fairway to within 5 feet, but he missed the birdie putt.
Stenson has lived in Dubai for three years and is a member of Emirates Golf Club.
PGA
Aaron Baddeley birdied three of the final four holes and took advantage of Jeff Quinney’s late collapse for a one-stroke victory in the FBR Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.
It was a dramatic late turnaround for two golfers who are virtually neighbors in north Scottsdale.
Baddeley trailed Quinney by three shots with four holes to go but birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes en route to his second PGA Tour victory. The 26-year-old Australian won the Verizon Heritage last year.
Quinney, a PGA Tour rookie after five seasons on the Nationwide Tour, had led since late in the second round but bogeyed the final two holes, marking the third straight tournament this season he has led or shared the lead in the last round but failed to land a victory.
Australian Open
Karrie Webb captured her third Women’s Australian Open title, shooting an even-par 72 in the final round for a six-stroke win in Sydney, Australia.
Webb, who began with a four-stroke lead over Wei Yun-jye of Taiwan, finished with a 10-under 278 total at Royal Sydney. Wei shot 74 to finish second at 4 under.