KEY POINTS:
ABU DHABI - Germany's Martin Kaymer, who led from start to finish, won the Abu Dhabi Championship by four shots today.
The European Rookie of the Year, starting the final round with a staggering six-shot lead, closed with a two-over-par 74 for a 15-under-par total of 273.
The 23-year-old fended off nearest challengers, Lee Westwood of Britain and Swede Henrik Stenson, to claim the 225,421 euro ($330,400) winner's cheque for his maiden European Tour victory.
Westwood carded two-under-par 70 while Stenson returned a one-under 71 to finish the tournament tied second on 11-under 277.
Kaymer stumbled early in his round, bogeying three holes in a row from the fourth, but he steadied his nerve and birdies at the 10th and the final hole sealed a comfortable win.
"The feeling is unbelievable," said Kaymer.
"I did struggle on the front nine, but I just tried to stick to my game plan - hit fairways and greens. And these guys had to catch me and I didn't have to make birdies.
"But it was really, really tough, specially between 12 and 15 to make pars. I made a nice birdie on the 10th and that was really important as I was only two or three shots ahead.
"The birdie gave me a little bit of confidence for the next eight holes.
Westwood felt he had a chance of victory throughout his final round but could not make enough birdies.
"A two-shot swing can happen any time here, but I was pleased with the way I played tee to green today," he said.
"But nothing really happened on the greens. "I put up a fight at the weekend which was good. I was hoping to get to double figures and I got to 11 under, so I am pleased with that."
Briton Richard Finch, Spain's Ignacio Garrido and Swede Peter Hedblom were tied for third on 10-under-par 278.
- REUTERS
