In one of the most stunning collapses on the European Tour, Martin Kaymer has blown a six-shot lead on the final day of the $US2.7 million Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and France’s world No.357 Gary Stal took full advantage to record his maiden win on the Tour.
Kaymer, a two-time major winner and ranked 12 in the world, increased his advantage over the field to 10 shots after five holes on Sunday, before the implosion.
A double bogey on the par-4 ninth hole by the German was followed by a triple bogey seven on the par-4 13th.
And while the birdies completely dried up for Kaymer, 22-year-old Stal, who started the day eight shots behind the leader, raced into the lead with six birdies in his first 11 holes of a bogey-free round of seven-under par 65 and a winning tally of 19-under par 269..
He dropped his most crucial birdie putt from 20 feet on the par-4 16th hole that gave him a two-shot cushion over Kaymer and world No.1 Rory McIlroy.
Kaymer finished third at 271, with Stal’s compatriot and world No.19 Victor Dubuisson and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters tying for fourth at 272.
Stal’s victory earns him a three-year-exemption on the European Tour and could move him to just inside the top-100 of the world rankings when they are released on Monday.
It also takes him to number three on the Race to Dubai points list.
A two-time winner on the Challenge Tour in 2012, Stal choked up thinking of his late mother Christine and said: “It’s really crazy and I am very happy to win this tournament.
“It’s unbelievable to win, because when I saw the leaderboard on the fifth hole, I saw Martin Kaymer on 23?under, and I said, it’s not possible to win.
“But when I saw the leaderboard on the 16th, I saw him at 17-under. So, in my head, I say, it’s possible, you can do it.
“Obviously, my heartbeat went up, but I tried to stay focused on the next shot. I just wanted to continue to play the same way. And I did.”
Kaymer joined a list of only three players who have lost a record lead of six shots on the final day on the European Tour.
“Yeah, surprised, a little shocked. I don’t really know how to put it into words,” said 30-year-old Kaymer.
“It was very, very surprising today. Started off well and hit a couple bad tee shots and that cost me double bogey and a triple bogey.
“Twice I missed the grass and I was in a bush. Had to drop it in the sand. Obviously then you get a bad lie and then it’s tough to make bogey.
“I haven’t done that all week long. Unfortunately, I did today, and that cost me the tournament.”
Richard Green was the best-placed Australian, finishing nine shots back at eight-under par in a share of 26th place, while countrymen Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser were a further stroke back.
