Rafael Cabrera-Bello knows Seve Ballesteros will be smiling after his Dubai Desert Classic win

04:14 04/12/2013
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  • After playing a recovery shot that would have made Seve Ballesteros proud, the new Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello hoped that the Spanish legend, who passed away last year, would be delighted with his efforts this week.

    Cabrera-Bello, who won his second European Tour title yesterday by one shot over world No3 Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher at the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club, saved a magical par from an impossible situation on the par-4 16th hole.

    He then made a birdie on the 17th which made all the difference to the outcome of the tournament. It also continued the Spanish domination of the Desert Classic, following the wins of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alvaro Quiros in the previous two years.

    And after receiving his trophy, the 27-year-old said: “I hope he is happy. I am sure Seve will be very pleased that Spanish golf is in such a strong condition.

    “Not just me, but Seve has been an inspiration to every golfer from Spain, and for many around the world.”

    Seve won the Dubai Desert Classic way back in 1992, and Cabrera-Bello was delighted his name will appear in the same roll of honour.

    “Out there, I wasn’t thinking of which Spanish player had won before here or anything like that, because I think that could only lead to putting more pressure on myself. But now, I really, really feel happy and proud that my name is going to be written down in the same trophy as Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal and Jimenez and my great friend, Alvaro,” said the new champion.

    “It’s a really, really amazing feeling for me to be a little bit a part of the same history they are.”

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