Donaldson’s desert dream

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, the man who recently sent Robert Rock a picture of his US Masters invitation just to wind him up, has now succeeded him as winner of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The 37-year-old, whose only previous European Tour success came on his 255th start at the Irish Open last July, claimed victory by a stroke when long-time leader Justin Rose lipped out on the final green from 12 feet.

It left Rose sharing second place on 13-under par with talented young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, who signed for a 69.