March 24, 2017: Sergio Garcia has been named the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month for February after his stunning wire-to-wire victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The five-time Ryder Cup winner claimed his 12th European Tour title in style, firing four rounds in the 60s to finish three shots ahead of the rest of the field at Emirates GC.
The 37 year old, whose 11th European Tour victory also came in the Middle East at the 2014 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, opened with a seven under par round of 65, the joint lowest of the tournament, and continued to dominate throughout the week.
Despite a spirited challenge from reigning Open Champion Henrik Stenson, it was the Spaniard who cruised to an emphatic victory – which pushed him back into the top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Garcia receives Hilton Honors Diamond Elite Status – the highest tier of the hotel’s renowned loyalty scheme – for winning the Golfer of the Month award, having beaten Fabrizio Zanotti, Brett Rumford and Darren Fichardt to the accolade which is decided by a panel of respected golf journalists.
“To win the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award is very special,” said Garcia.
“I am thrilled to be honoured for my victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic which is a tournament I have played many times and always enjoy coming back to.
“To win such a prestigious event wire to wire ahead of my good friend Henrik was no mean feat and I was delighted to beat such a fantastic field. I am hoping I can take that form into future events and get a few more wins this season.”
Paraguay’s Zanotti and South Africa’s Fichardt put themselves into contention for the award with victories in Malaysia and Johannesburg respectively, while Australian Rumford regained his European Tour playing rights by triumphing on home soil at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.
Neil Squires, Daily Express Golf Correspondent and Member of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “There are few more invigorating sights in golf than Sergio Garcia in full flow and Dubai saw him at his imperious ball-striking best.
“To dominate with the strength of the field, and to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the event since Rory McIlroy in 2009, showcased the very best of one of the continent’s greats.
“It had been three years since Garcia’s last win on the European Tour; it is unlikely to be another three until his next.”
Hilton, the Official Hotel Supplier to the European Tour, is the Official Sponsor of the European Tour Golfer of the Month award, which recognises and rewards the best performances of European Tour Members each month.
European Tour Release
