ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Martin Kaymer birdied the 18th hole Sunday to win the Abu Dhabi Championship for the second time in three years and record a fifth European Tour victory.
The German sank the 2-foot putt for his sixth birdie in a 6-under 66 to total 21-under 267 and beat Ian Poulter by a stroke. The Englishman had a 66 after missing a 15-foot birdie putt to force a playoff at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was third at 269 after a 67.
“That was the nicest round of golf I have ever played on the European Tour,” said Kaymer, who has a metal plate in his right foot from a go-kart crash last summer.
“All three of us played such excellent golf, we were going for the flags and going for everything. And to have come through that should be a real help if I make my Ryder Cup debut later this year.”
Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi title in 2008 and finished runner-up last year. Over his past 12 rounds in Abu Dhabi, he is 56 under.
Kaymer led by a shot overnight and opened the final round with two birdies to keep pace with Poulter, who picked up three shots in his first three holes.
After Poulter laid up with his second shot at the par-5 18th, Kaymer smashed a 3-wood from 277 yards on to the green. The German two-putted to take the $391,000 winner’s check.
Kaymer will rise to a career-high No. 6 in the world rankings irrespective of what happens at the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs. Poulter will climb two spots to No. 10, replacing McIlroy, who drops to No. 11.
Shane Lowry shot a 67 to be four shots back in fourth spot. It was the Irishman’s first top-five end on the European Tour since turning professional after winning last year’s Irish Open as an amateur.
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Martin Kaymer's 276-yard three-wood onto the final green at the Abu Dhabi Championship has been named. European Tour Shot of the Month for January. The German was tied with England's Ian Poulter with one to play and with Poulter driving ...