Bryson DeChambeau claimed his maiden European Tour title in style on Sunday, producing a closing 64 to win the 30th anniversary edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by seven shots.
The World No 5 had set himself the target of securing his first professional overseas win at Emirates Golf Club ahead of the event, and he duly delivered, carding an eagle, seven birdies and a single bogey on day four to finish the week on 24-under par and set a new tournament record.
Last year’s champion, Li Haotong, who played alongside DeChambeau in the final round, had held the previous record after producing a winning score of 23-under in 2018.
Englishman Matt Wallace finished alone in second place on 17-under after closing his round with back-to-back birdies to sign for a 68.
Paul Waring, Ian Poulter, Li and Spanish pair Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Quiros were a further stroke back in a tie for third.
South Africa’s Justin Harding fired the low round of the day with a bogey-free 63. He finished in a share of 7th to qualify for next week’s inaugural Saudi Open.
Harding, playing on a sponsor’s invite, birdied the first three holes to get his round under way in fine fashion. One more front nine gain was followed by another fast start to his inward nine as he went on a run that saw him pick up four shots in as many holes after his eagle three at the 13th.
A birdie on 16 and a par at the last helped the Stellenbosch pro into the clubhouse 9-under par.
Ernie Els, three off the pace at the start of the round, was back in the group sharing 12th after settling for a final round 71. The Big Easy made the perfect start with birdies at four and five, but as the birdies dried up – he made just one more – drops around the turn ended his fairy-tale run towards a fourth title here.
HOW BRYSON WON
DeChambeau, who represented the United States in last year’s Ryder Cup, came into the final round with a one-shot advantage over nearest challenger Li.
But he soon set about increasing that lead, holing his birdie putt from 20 feet at the first before making another gain at the second.
He then continued his perfect start to the round with another birdie at the long third from close range to get to 19-under par.
DeChambeau created more chances on the front nine but had to settle for six more pars to reach the turn in 32.
The 25-year-old extended his lead further as he began the more scorable back nine, holing his ten-foot eagle putt at the long tenth before picking up a birdie at the 11th to move to 22-under and open up a six-shot lead.
He dropped his first shot of the day at the 12th after sending his second shot into a bush, but bounced back with a birdie from eight feet at the long 13th.
DeChambeau then holed his six-foot birdie putt at the 14th to jump to 23-under.
After coming agonisingly close to picking up further shots at the 15th and 16th, he rolled in from six feet for his seventh birdie of the day.
And he finished his round with a par at the last to win by seven strokes.
