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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Luke Donald became the first golfer to win both the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles, finishing third in the Dubai World Championship on Sunday behind winner Alvaro Quiros. Doug Flutie Womens Jersey . Quiros made a 40-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole for a two-shot victory over 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie. The top-ranked Donald, who won the PGA title earlier this year, had to finish better than ninth or hope Rory McIlroy didnt win the tournament. McIlroy, weakened with a virus all week, tied for 11th at 9-under 279. That left McIlroy more than $1.34 million behind Donald in the money race. "Its funny to kind of sum up my feelings" said Donald, who has just come back from five weeks off in which he buried his father and was on hand for the birth of his second child. "You know, this is something Ive wanted for the past few months, to try and win both money lists," Donald said. "Its very strange because I looked at the leaderboard on 13 and couldnt see Rory. I couldnt see Rorys name on there and the leaders were playing well, and at that point, I kind of knew I had made history and the last six holes were kind of surreal." Quiros had a final-round 5-under 67 on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates to finish at 269. Donald was three shots behind Quiros after he ran off three birdies in a row for a 6-under 66. Peter Hanson of Sweden was fourth, another two shots back, and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel was in fifth another shot behind. The big-hitting Quiros came into the final day with a two-shot lead but squandered it after he had three bogeys on the front nine to go with five birdies. Lawrie, who led after the first day, took the lead after he notched five birdies in his first eight holes. But Lawrie bogeyed the 12th after an approach shot missed the green and Quiros birdied the 14th to take the lead for good. Lawries short game continued to haunt him when an errant chip on 16 cost him a birdie chance. Then, the 42-year-old Lawrie missed a 6-foot birdie putt at the 17th that would have tied it. Quiros managed to reach the 18th green in two while Lawrie was there in three. Rather than play it safe, Quiros clinched the win with a long eagle putt. The Spaniard pumped his fist as the crowd cheered. The win was just Quiros second this year on the tour -- after the Dubai Desert Classic -- and sixth overall on the tour. It was a much happier ending than a week ago, when Quiros had a 3-shot lead going into the final round of the Hong Kong Open. He let it slip after erratic drives and poor putting, finishing in a tie for seventh -- five shots behind McIlroy, who holed a greenside bunker shot to win. Quiros praised the rivalry that developed over the final round with Lawrie, who ended a nine-year drought earlier this year with a victory in Spain. "I was hitting good shots all day but, as I said, Paul was marvelous," he said. "He was holing every single putt. He was in contention every single time. I think he was just one or two times in trouble and the second one was on 12. From this moment onwards, it changed the situation completely." Quiros said he felt he had the advantage coming into the par 5, 18th. But even with the one-shot lead, the 28-year-old Spaniard said he never considered laying up because Lawrie was putting so well and Donald had moved into contention with a string of birdies down the stretch. He also was worried about his slim lead, after Lawries approach shot came down within 12-foot of the cup. Lawrie eventually sank it for a birdie. "I heard the peoples roars after Luke holed a good putt on 17 and 18 and obviously Paul just was one shot behind me," Quiros said. "He (Lawrie) hit a good shot and the way he was putting all day, I thought, you know, the putt that he has is very ... makable. I was looking to give myself a chance, a meter-and-a half around the hole ... And then the putt was simple as, perfect, genius." Lawrie refused to dwell on his mistakes, insisting he had done everything to win. Rather than talk about any one hole Sunday, he alluded to Friday where he drove the ball poorly on the way to a 1-over 73 which cost him the first-round lead. "I think anybody would tell you they are disappointed not to win," Lawrie said. "I probably did enough to have a chance coming down the 18th and thats all you can do. Alvaro, hes got at least 250 yards uphill into the wind on 18 with a 3-wood off a hanging lie. Any time you make a three off that lie, hes a worthy winner." Despite finishing second, the 42-year-old Lawrie said his performance has given him hope that he still a future on the tour and possibly a few more victories. "I worked very hard last winter and hit a lot of balls and put a lot of time in," he said. "I knew I was 42 and time is running out a wee bit. So if you are going have another go at it, you might as well go now. So nice to be in there and thereabouts have a chance to win tournaments again." Kellen Winslow Blue Jersey . In fact, cranky would best describe the Celtics mood as they packed for a trip home to play Milwaukee on Wednesday. "It was a win, thats all it was for us," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. Branden Oliver Blue Jersey . Louis Blues remain at the top spot of the TSN.BEREA, Ohio - On any given day, Josh Gordons size, speed and agility separates him from others on the field. Hes that rare talent, the player everyone notices. Hes standing out for another reason. Gordon is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test, a violation that could cost the Pro Bowl wide receiver a full season. But while his future remains cloudy, Clevelands young star is doing all he can to improve his dazzling skills. After gliding over the middle on Tuesday, Gordon leaped to snag a pass before tucking the ball away and sprinting from a defender. If hes burdened, Gordons hiding it well. "Hes showing up every day as the No. 1 receiver, hes not showing up as a guy whos uncertain about his future," said wide receiver Nate Burleson. "Thats all he can do right now, is go to work as if hes our No. 1 because he is." Arguably Clevelands best player, Gordon could be facing a lengthy suspension for marijuana use. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy and still led the league in yards receiving. The league has not commented on Gordons status. He complicated his situation last week when he was ticketed for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon is scheduled to appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday. Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine believes the uncertainty is weighing on Gordon. It has to be. "I cant imagine that it wouldnt," Pettine said. "It would be human nature." Gordon politely declined an interview request. He entered the league with a history of substance-abuse issues. Gordon is known to have failed at least three drug tests in college, but the Browns were willing to overlook his past when they selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012. His risky behaviour has jeopardized his career, but the Browns insist they will stick by him. Pettine acknowledged some frustration in not knowing Gordons status. "Until we hear from the league, were going to be business as usual," he said. "At this point, there is nothing to act on. Everyone can sense the frustration, and its a difficult thing. But until it happens, we have a plan in place for all eventualities but were still in a holding pattern." While the Browns wait, Pettinne said Gordon has not let the uncertainty affect his performance. Dan Fouts Blue Jersey. "He comes out and works hard, puts in a days work, solid in the classroom," Pettine said. "When hes in the building, hes been solid. Its not the first guy in the league to be like that where when hes in the building hes great and has some issues, for whatever reason due to circumstances, when hes out of the building. Im not a stranger to situations like that." The Browns signed Burleson, a 12-year veteran, as a free agent to provide leadership to Clevelands group of young receivers. Burleson hasnt spoken with Gordon specifically about his situation, but has been providing any support he can. "I just do the same thing I was doing before the news came out," Burleson said. "Help motivate him, him and the other guys. Im here as a guy who, one, can show young guys how to be a professional athlete on and off the field and two, try to motivate them in different ways. "Hes so gifted and so talented that its hard to coach greatness. Its hard to motivate greatness." Burleson played with Randy Moss in Minnesota and Calvin Johnson in Detroit. He knows what a superstar wide receiver looks like and believes Gordon has what it takes to be one of the best. Like everyone associated with the Browns, Burleson is eager for a positive outcome for Gordon. "That type of talent you want on the field, whether its at practice or game day," Burleson. "You only get so many guys every few years that redefine the position and hes one of those guys. Hes not your traditional receiver. Theres Calvin and theres Randy, these guys were hit with that special stick and God blessed them with attributes you can only create in video games. "For him to miss any time, its a loss for everybody in general, fans especially. The hope is that hes on the field." Pettine believes the Browns have a good support system in place to help Gordon, and the league has been proactive in helping troubled players. However, theres a shared responsibility. "There has to be a willingness on the other side," he said. "Sometimes they get the message and its too late. In all my time in the league, theres always going to be a handful of guys that just dont get it." ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
