Thursday 22 January 2015 16:22, UK
Ewen Murray reflects on a dramatic final day in Abu Dhabi and pays tribute to first-time winner Gary Stal, and he is not ruling out Martin Kaymer bouncing back with a win in Dubai.
When dawn broke in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning, the National course was in pristine condition ahead of what many, if not everyone believed would produce Martin Kaymer's fourth win at the HSBC Golf Championship. What could go wrong?!
With rounds of 64, 67 and 65, the two-time major champion had a handsome lead of six shots. The world No 1 Rory McIlroy had endured a frustrating time on the perfect greens and was all-but out of contention.
The chasing pack were made up of youngsters, many of them looking for their maiden victories on the European Tour. This was perceived as a Sunday stroll in the sun for the German.
One thing I've gleaned over the last quarter of a century commentating on the best events in the world of golf is that prediction is foolish. Over these years, we have witnessed many comebacks and collapses and the only thing you can be sure about is that will continue over the next 25 years and beyond.
Shortly after the final group teed off just after midday, Kaymer had moved to 23 under par and when the impressive Belgian, Thomas Pieters, bogeyed the fifth, Martin had a lead of 10 shots.
The galleries went quiet, as far as they were concerned, the tournament was all-but over. The rot, however, set in at the par-four sixth. A slightly pulled tee shot left Kaymer with a chip back onto the fairway, yet he so nearly made a par with a deft pitch that horseshoed around the cup.
Minor glitch?
Surely it was a minor glitch, but no. A wayward drive at nine led to a double-bogey and, having been three under for the round after four holes, Kaymer turned in a level-par 36.
While all this was going on, a young Frenchman was making inroads to the lead of the German. The 22-year-old Gary Stal from Lyon, fresh off a fifth place finish in South Africa the week before, was perhaps thinking a top three finish would secure his card for next year.
McIroy was making little headway and the nearest challengers were also making heavy work of it. The putts that were dropping for Kaymer over the first three days were all of a sudden slipping by, yet he was still in control.
Over the years, the shortish and rather innocuous par-four 13th was where this superb event came alive, and here the tournament was turned on its head. Last year Phil Mickelson had a triple-bogey at this hole when leading, and David Howell did the same the year before.
History repeated itself when Kaymer pulled his tee shot and found a desert bush. A drop and two fluffs later, three shots went in the light breeze and Kaymer was suddenly the hunter.
The damage was done and it was too late to fight back. Gary Stal kept his nerve and did everything right to secure his maiden victory. The fact that he defeated the world No 1 and 12 in the process will do his confidence no harm at all.
Emotions high
Gary Stal kept his nerve and did everything right to secure his maiden victory. The fact that he defeated the world No 1 and 12 in the process will do his confidence no harm at all
He was of course emotional. His dad caddied for him on the Challenge Tour in 2012, and he lost his mum at too young an age while he was playing in the BMW PGA Championship last May. As always, the French players showed their unity waiting to welcome him off the 72nd green.
Amid the tears, there was joy of course and through the passage of time, he will look back on that moment as one of the finest of his young life. The HSBC will always go down as the one that Martin Kaymer threw away, but take nothing away from Gary Stal. His final round of 65 was a fabulous effort and, when the chance presented itself, he was there to take it.
Thoughts, of course, go to Kaymer - a seasoned professional going for his 21st victory since leaving the amateur game. When Wayne Riley interviewed him, Martin showed his undoubted class. He was shocked that he should let such a big lead slip and there is no doubt this collapse will hurt.
Martin is a hugely impressive person. He speaks as well as he plays and was philosophical in his chosen words. "I need to get back on the horse and win in Dubai,” he said. As bad as his Sunday was here, I wouldn't bet against it.
This 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship showed just how far this event has come. The players will not play on a better surface in the 11 months ahead. Rather like the WGC-HSBC Championship in Shanghai, it oozes class and why more of our top European players don't compete here is a mystery.
It's the perfect way to get the year underway amid wonderful practice facilities in a very impressive part of the globe. Why you would choose the west coast of the United States? To this I have no explanation.
Onward to Doha
So after week one of the European Tour’s Desert Swing, we have a first-time winner and next week we beam our pictures onto the Sky Sports screens from the rocky land of Doha in Qatar.
Having played the first Qatar Masters as far back as 1998, it's another event that has grown in stature during the last 17 years. The first winner was my fellow Scot Andrew Coltart and he joins our team this week.
The US PGA champion of 2002 made his European Tour debut with us in Abu Dhabi and Rich Beem is a welcome addition. Rich is a fine colleague and will be in the commentary box on many of our PGA Tour events this year. He will also join us for the Irish and Scottish Opens to be played at Royal County Down and the delightful links of Gullane in East Lothian.
Rory and Martin take a back seat this week, yet once again we have a good quality field for Doha which has the same course designer as Abu Dhabi. Peter Harradine is well respected in his field and Doha is more rugged than last week's venue.
They have changed the grass on their greens and also changed the water treatments to the turf so we will see a different course from years gone by. Sergio Garcia is the defending champion after a thrilling final round last year.
Part one of the Desert Swing produced a big surprise, and it will be interesting to see what part two brings us. Just a reminder that the tournament starts on Wednesday and has a Saturday finish. Speak to you from the Doha desert on Wednesday morning. Ewen.
Join Ewen and the team for this week's Qatar Masters in Doha. Live coverage starts Wednesday at 6.30am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
