DUBAI // It is tempting to suggest Alvaro Quiros’s rise up the standings with a final-round 64 on Sunday was so rapid it could have brought on a nosebleed.
But that might be in bad taste given the exuberant Spaniard was sniffling most of the way round as he dealt with effects of nasal surgery.
The operation on his sinus problem, which hindered his challenge at last weekend’s Qatar Masters, put a dent in his preparations for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, a title he won in 2011.
He flew home from Doha Saturday night a week ago, had surgery on Sunday, flew back to the Middle East on Tuesday, then – like everyone else – missed a day of practice when Wednesday’s pro-am was cancelled.
His opening rounds at Emirates Golf Club showed signs of rust, but he flourished on the last day, with an eight-under-par round that included a hole-in-one at the 165-yard fourth.
Not that anyone was there to celebrate the feat. “It was too early,” said Quiros, who said he had not seen it drop into the cup because of the glare of the morning sunshine. “That is what happens when you play so badly the first three rounds – there is no one there to clap.”
Neither was their a prize on offer, much to his chagrin. “It is disgusting,” he said with a laugh. “They have an Omega on hole seven, a car on hole 15. It doesn’t matter. The prize is to shoot 64.”
It was his lowest round in 16 months and provided a little cheer for a player who has said he had lost some of his love for golf in recent times.
Quiros has had success playing in the UAE and three of his five career aces have been made on courses in the UAE.
His one at the 11th on the Majlis Course in 2011 set him on track to win the trophy and he said he is hopeful this one is a portent of happier times returning.
pradley@thenational.ae
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