Leading golf equipment manufacturer, Ping enjoyed a triumphant weekend at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, with fellow Ping players Miguel Angel Jiménez and Lee Westwood battling it out in a dramatic three-hole playoff for the chance to claim the spectacular Arabian coffee pot trophy.
And after a nail-biting final day at the Emirates Golf Club, it was the Spaniard Jiménez who emerged triumphant holing from a few feet at the replayed 9th hole, after two scrambling pars at the 18th to keep the play-off alive. It was his 16th European Tour victory and moves him to 4th in the Race to Dubai order of merit and a leap of 60 places to No.30 in the world rankings. Westwood is fourth in the world.
Overjoyed by his victory, the charismatic golfer from Malaga, twice a runner-up in Dubai, said: "All week I've been playing strong with a strong mind and with good support from my caddie. I have been coming to Dubai for many years and had a few chances to win and now I have it, I feel very pleased and very happy."
Jiménez has claimed nine of his 16 European Tour titles in his 40s, and is the oldest player to win on the European Tour since 2004. He also gives great credit to his equipment which includes a Ping Rapture 9-degree driver, Ping Tec 3-, 5- and 7-wood, which he used to great effect in the closing stretch and his set of Ping S-57 irons (4-PW).
Jimenez was also uncannily sharp around the greens with his 52 and 58-degree Ping Tour W wedges and his trusty Ping Redwood (Black Satin) putter, while using the Srixon Z-Star ball.
As for Westwood the accuracy of his Ping G10 (9 deg) driver and Ping i15 3-wood proved crucial in setting up his play-off opportunity and his 11-under par total over the four rounds. He also credits his i10 irons (3-PW) Tour W wedges (54 and 58 deg) and Redwood Anser putter.
