Qatar Daily News

Ernie Els is hoping the use of a new putter will help him claim a fourth Dubai Desert Classic victory this weekend.

The South African has an envious record in the tournament, having clinched a top-three finish in each of the last seven years, although victory has narrowly escaped his clutches in the past two events.

And with Els slipping outside the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday, now would be a good time to record his first victory since the Honda Classic last March.

However, the 39-year-old has been struggling on the greens in recent times and is pinning his hopes on a new flat-stick in a bid to turn around his fortunes.
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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.
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Adam Scott goes into Thursday’s Qatar Masters bidding for his third win in three appearances at the European Tour event and staving off questions about his personal life.
The Australian shared second at last week’s Sony Open in Hawaii where he was photographed on a beach with Hollywood actress Kate Hudson.

It was Scott’s best performance since winning the Byron Nelson Championship last April and he admitted that he had been given a further reason to perform better.

“Something got me inspired to just work a little bit harder again,” he told the Press Association.
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