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After the furore of the men’s Dubai Open golf, with the title lifted by Bahrain-favourite Alvaro Quiros and Luke Donald claiming the Race to Dubai, the ladies took their turn with an even more remarkable outcome.
Despite the presence of a full field it was 16-year-old American Lexi Thompson who won, in the process becoming the youngest ever winner on the European Tour. It wasn’t even close – Thompson won by a remarkable four shots thanks to a 5-under par closing round of 67.
South Africa’s Lee-Ann Pace had threatened to challenge with a strong front nine although Thompson closed with four birdies to enjoy her stroll up the 18th.
Former child prodigy, Michelle Wie, who has failed to live up to the hopes raised when she first entered the professional ranks, finished ten shots back on 5-under.
While Thompson becomes the youngest ever professional winner on the European Tour, she has won previously in the US having claimed the Navistar LPGA Classic three months ago.
The only younger winner on tour was the amateur, Amy Yang, who triumphed in New Zealand in 2006.
