Winners and losers from Saudi International as Graeme McDowell shines

David Cooper - Writer 13:14 03/02/2020
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  • Graeme McDowell has secured the Saudi International title with a two-shot victory at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club on Sunday.

    Here, we look at the winners and losers from Jeddah.

    WINNERS

    GRAEME MCDOWELL

    The Northern Irishman claimed his first European Tour title since the French Open in July 2014.

    The 40-year-old posted rounds of 64-68-66-70 to finish 12-under for his 11th win on the European circuit.

    McDowell, a resident of Orlando for nearly two decades, started the week ranked 104th in the world and now moves inside the top-50 for the first time in five years.

    THOMAS PIETERS

    The Antwerp native posted seven birdies and two bogeys to card a final round 65 and finish in a tie for third – his best result since winning the Czech Masters in August.

    His sole regret of the weekend will be a missed putt for eagle on the 18th that would have seen him share second alongside last year’s champion Dustin Johnson.

    Still, his formidable result in Jeddah sees him rise to 67th in the world for the first time since September 2018.

    GAVIN GREEN

    Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson deserve special mention for their starring displays in Saudi, however, Green stole the show with a glittering T3 finish.

    The Malaysian, 26, warrants serious credit for being able to keep the pace for the entire weekend and not falling away when the pressure was on.

    His stunning eagle on 17 and birdie on 18 was enough to share third alongside five-time major winner Mickelson and 2016 Ryder Cup star Pieters.

    A cracking result to add to his strong finishes in Dubai (T27), Abu Dhabi (T21) and Johannesburg (T15) earlier this year.

    LOSERS

    VICTOR DUBUISSON

    The Frenchman, lying just one-shot back heading into the final day, faded away on Sunday and had to settle for a share of sixth.

    His final round is definitely one he will want to forget fast, after firing a miserable four-over 74, including five bogeys and two double bogeys.

    Despite the disappointment, it is still the 29-year-old’s best finish since placing third in Sun City in November 2017.

    PATRICK REED

    The world number 13 arrived in Saudi full of optimism after his T2 and T6 finishes in his last three events.

    But the 29-year-old struggled around the pristine greens in Jeddah and missed the cut, posting poor rounds of 70 and 73.

    It was Reed’s second missed cut in four starts. However, returning to PGA Tour events from next week may boost his confidence again.

    BERND WIESBERGER

    Another disappointing weekend for the Austrian.

    The Vienna man, 34, was tipped for a strong showing after missing the cut in Dubai last week, but three bogeys and three double bogeys saw him miss the cut by one shot.

    In a crucial Ryder Cup year, the 34-year-old needs to show more consistency if he is to qualify for Padraig Harrington’s team for Whistling Straits in September.

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