Rafael Cabrera-Bello aiming to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic double
Rafael Cabrera-Bello will be aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic when the young Spaniard returns to defend his title against a quality field at Emirates Golf Club from January 31 to February 3.
Since the inception of the tournament in 1989, no player has won the title twice in a row though South Africa’s Ernie Els (1994, 2002 and 2005) and Tiger Woods (2006 and 2008) have inscribed their names on the trophy more than once.
Cabrera-Bello produced scintillating golf to upstage three of the world’s top four at the time — Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer — en route to winning the 2012 edition of the $2.5 million event, promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi.
One behind Lee Westwood overnight, Cabrera-Bello carded a bogey free 68 to reach 18-under to triumph by a solitary stroke, thus becoming the fifth Spanish player to win the longest-running European Tour event in region, following Seve Ballesteros in 1992, José María Olazábal in 1998, Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros in 2011.
“I don’t know what the connection is, but what I know is that there are more and more Spaniards on the tour and they are all playing better and becoming more competitive,” said Cabrera-Bello, who will be hoping to keep the momentum flowing into this year as well.
“I am sure Seve Ballesteros would have been very pleased to see Spanish golf is in such a strong position. It’s an honour to have your name written on the same trophy as Seve and other greats. The victory has given me a lot of confidence and, hopefully, I will be able to further build on that,” said the 28-year-old Spaniard.
“I love playing in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it’s one of the prestigious events on the (European) Tour known for attracting a strong field every year,” said Cabrera-Bello, who hails from a genuine sporting family as his sister Emma is also a professional golfer on the Ladies European Tour.
Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi: “We look forward to welcoming our defending champion, who is easily one of the most popular players on the tour because of his easy-going and friendly nature,
“If Spanish golf is in good health, it’s because of rising stars like Rafael whose mission is to continue Seve’s glorious legacy. I wish Rafael the very best and hopes he has a wonderful stay in Dubai.”
golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and DUBAL as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
Rafael Cabrera-Bello, the winner of the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, with Shaikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi, at the presentation ceremony at Emirates Golf Club
