Jimenez beats Westwood in Dubai play-off

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated European number one Lee Westwood in a playoff to win the Dubai Desert Classic.

Jimenez, 46, won the event at the third extra hole on the Emirates course after he and Briton Westwood had ended regulation play with closing round scores of 72 for 11-under-par totals.

The Spaniard had looked on as Westwood, who was competing in the final pairing, two-putted the last green in regulation play from 60-foot for a birdie to tie with his Ryder Cup colleague.

Both players parred the 18th hole twice in the playoff before the encounter switched to the ninth where Jimenez two-putted for par and Westwood carded a bogey.

"I have been coming here many years, and I've had a few chances to win, and then, I have it here, so I am feeling very pleased, very happy," Jimenez told reporters.

"It was difficult out there and exciting.

"But I felt very comfortable and good on the golf course and that is the key. I am not 25 or 30 years old. I have just turned 46. I'm still healthy and still strong, not like 25, but still strong and still can play with the ball," added Jimenez who has captured nine of his 16 European Tour victories since turning 40.

The win made amends for two second place finishes in Dubai and was Jimenez's first success since capturing the 2008 PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Westwood's one consolation was that he moved from 17th to fifth on the Race to Dubai money list.

"I hit good shots all the way in and just didn't capitalise," he said.

"Some days you don't play great and you just have to hang in there. Like I said at the start of the week, I'm in pre-season training. So the results, although I would have liked to win this week, they don't really concern me too much."

Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee, who began the day tied with Westwood and Jimenez, finished third after a round of a 73 for a total of 10 under par.

"It was a tough day today but I just putted so bad," the Thai said.

"It was just very difficult to control the ball but at least I played very consistent on the back nine."

- Reuters