Rock edges out Tiger for shock win

Robert Rock

Published: 12:55pm, 29th January 2012
Updated: 2:18pm, 29th January 2012

England's Robert Rock beat Tiger Woods head-to-head to become the shock winner of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

With only one win in his previous 226 European Tour events and ranked 117th in the world, the 34-year-old overcame a last-hole drama to defeat Rory McIlroy by one and Woods, Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn by two.

Rock was two ahead on the tee at the par five 18th, but pushed his drive into the hazard on the right in amongst rocks and plants.

He chose to take a penalty drop knowing that a six would be good enough unless Woods eagled and, with the American failing to pitch in after going in the rough, a two-putt bogey did indeed complete the greatest day of his 14-year professional career.

McIlroy birdied the last for a 69 to be runner-up for the second year in a year, but after three impressive rounds Woods was all over the show on the final day. Somehow he managed a 72.