ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Thomas Pieters won the sixth and biggest European title of his career Sunday after a tumultuous final.
The Belgian, who turns 30 next week, shot an even-par 72 in the final round for a total of 278 to spoil Rafa Cabrera Bello and Shubhankar Sharma in joint second place.
Viktor Hovland (72) missed out on the third victory in his last four races and took fourth place with Victor Dubuisson (69).
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton recorded an eagle and four birdies to lead compatriots Ian Poulter and James Morrison to within three shots of sixth place.
Scott Jamieson, who delivered a wire-to-wire victory after a lead at the end of each of the first three rounds, fell after a 77.
“I’m glad I can finally give my Caddy Adam a gold bib (to win a Rolex Series event),” said Pieters, who finished 72nd.
“I folded the last one. I wanted to try, but I was told I was two in front, so I closed to lie down and made a (Par) five, which was good.”
Rory McIlroy will remember what it could have been after moving inwardly from two of the leaders, courtesy of an outstanding 141-yard eagle on the par-four ninth and a birdie on 13.
But his round collapsed with three bogeys in the last five holes and eventually finished with a 3-under 69 in a tie for 12th.
“Honestly, I’m glad I was allowed to play two more days,” McIlroy said. “I have to make a birdie on the last hole on Friday just to be here, and I almost made the most of the weekend.
“I played well yesterday and really well today by 13, and then a few loose shots cost me. That wasn’t the goal I wanted, but overall it was good to play another 36 holes and judge where everything is and what to work on.”
Jamieson led left to Yas after each round, set the pace with a brilliant opening front 63 and stayed ahead with a 74 before going into the final after one with a one-shot advantage over Pieters’ 68.
But the 38-year-old, whose only tour triumph nine years ago came with more than 36 weather-related holes and an altered layout at the Nelson Mandela Championship, could not recover from a poor start, with four bogeys in the first five holes.
Former Open champion Shane Lowry was one shot behind Jamieson after Saturday’s match, but he also endured a final round to forget, which began with a Triple bogey-seven at the opening hole. He finished the day with a 5-over 77.
