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American veteran Mark O’Meara today (March7) ended six long years in the PGA European Tour wilderness by winning the 2004 Dubai Desert Classic by one shot from Ireland’s Paul McGinley at the Emirates Golf Club.
Both men went into the final round locked together on -14 with their nearest challenger Brian Davis – who played alongside them – just three shots adrift. But a steady 69 by O’Meara was enough to bring him home in 271 (-17) and see off the gutsy Irishman who could only manage a closing round 70 for 272.
The last time O’Meara lifted a PGA European Tour trophy above his head it was the Open’s Claret Jug. But as the sun shone down on the famous Majlis Course today, the 47-year-old – who started the day outside the world’s top 200 - rolled back the years to his Indian Summer of 1998 to finally land another title and become the oldest winner of the Dubai Aluminium-sponsored Classic title.
“This one I have to put right at the top in my career, he said, after receiving the trophy and a cheque for $333,330 from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Defence and Crown Prince of Dubai.
“Certainly, winning the Masters, the Open Championship and the 1998 Player of the Year in ’98 was a dream come true. But to be honest with you, to win the Dubai Desert Classic 2004 is also kind of a dream come true. And it helps when you're playing with a guy that is a good, fair competitor and a good sport, kind of knows what the game is all about. Paul certainly knows that. I look for him to have a very big year this year in Europe.”
One of the first to congratulate the 1998 Masters champion was the pre-tournament favourite and world number one Tiger Woods who had started the day six shots behind the leaders and got within three of great friend O’Meara after an eagle at the tenth before falling away with bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes.
“To have Tiger Woods standing there on the 18th green giving me a big bear hug, it shows the kind of heart this guy has,” O’Meara added. “He genuinely cares about me as a friend and a person, and that meant a lot to know that he was there for me when I finished up on 18th. He knows it's been a long time coming for me. He's always pushing me and telling me that I can still do it.”
For McGinley, it was an uphill struggle against a man who seemed destined to win, and the Irishman was full of praise for the new champion.
“Obviously there's disappointment not to have won - we're in the game to win and the difference winning and coming in second is huge,” admitted the Ryder Cup hero. Having said that, I didn't lose the tournament. Mark won it. He played awesome. The first two days he played his lights out and the weekend I thought he hit the ball really well.
“I can see why he's so successful through out his career. He obviously putts well. I just came up a fraction short. We are all competitive people, but as I say, I don't feel I lost the tournament. Mark won it and good luck to him.”
While O’Meara and McGinley were duelling at the front, the tournament finally came alive for the big guns such as Ernie Els and Woods, whose 68 was his best round of the four days. Els, meanwhile, seemed to shake off his slumbers and fired home a 65 (-7) for the best round of the day. It was enough to give The Big Easy a final total of 275 (-13) and leave him tied with England’s David Howell for third place three shots behind McGinley.
But the day belonged to O’Meara and he was delighted to announce that he will return in 2005 to defend the title.
“I think the rest of the world is going to start to see what Dubai is all about and what they are doing here,” added the new champion. “I look forward to coming back and defending my title next year and for many more years to come because I feel blessed to have so many wonderful friends here. They treat me like I'm their friend.”
Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, The World by Al Nakheel, Arabian Ranches by Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.
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Mark O’Meara receives the Dubai Desert Classic trophy from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 
Mark O'Meara 
Paul McGinley