Alvaro Quiros wins Qatar Masters
Alvaro Quiros had seven birdies and four bogeys Sunday for a 3-under 69, enough to win the Qatar Masters by three strokes over Louis Oosthuizen and Henrik Stenson.
Quiros, a 26-year-old Spaniard, finished with a total score of 19-under 269 at the Doha Golf Course.
“Winning is not easy,” Quiros said. “It is easy for guys like Sergio Garcia and others who win so often. So, definitely it is a big surprise for me to win here.”
Oosthuizen (71) had three birdies and two bogeys, and Stenson (68) had an eagle on No. 10, three birdies and a bogey. Damien McGrane (67) was fourth, three strokes behind second place.
After a shaky start, Alvaro had five birdies on the back nine, including two straight on the 16th and 17th holes.
“It wasn’t a perfect day,” Quiros said. “I took time to get going. It is a surprise to win here.”
Quiros became the first Spaniard to win the Qatar Masters title in the 12-year history of the tournament, and earned $416,660 for his victory.
“I think it is easy to smile when you are winning, but I will keep smiling wherever I go and play,” Quiros said. “Before coming here, my plan was to get into the top 50. I did not play well in Abu Dhabi, but now I will be, maybe, in top 30.”
Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) finished in a tie for fifth with Maarten Lafeber (72), both at 276. Andrew Coltart (72) was a further stroke behind, along with Sergio Garcia (70).
The European Tour stays in the Middle East for the third straight week, next heading to the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Desert Classic.
