PERRY WINS FBR OPEN

Kenny Perry survived a scare and outlasted Charley Hoffman at the third hole of the play-off to win the FBR Open.

A three-time PGA Tour winner last season, Perry finished two-under for the day and 14-under for the tournament.

Hoffman shot four-under to also finish 14-under and Kevin Na was unable to sink an eight-foot putt on 18 and settled for a three-under to finish one stroke behind.

The 48-year-old Perry had to settle for a playoff after bogeying the 18th hole. After Perry and Hoffman recorded a bogey and par on the first two playoff holes, Perry was able to emerge victorious and claim his 13th PGA Tour victory.

"To me, this is a place I always felt like I could win," Perry said. "I always felt very comfortable on this golf course, and for whatever reason, I didn't putt well these last two days. But I hit it good enough to do well, and I thought it was going to be a special day."

On the par-four 17th hole, Perry's tee shot went to the right of the green before chipping in a 22-foot birdie.

"The playoff was ugly," Perry said. "We were hitting it everywhere, having to scramble from all over the place. But that was neat for me to make a putt - that's probably the first putt I've ever made to win.

"Those are the putts you think about when you're a kid; you're on the putting green saying, 'This is to win the Masters' or whatever, and I finally made one. It took me a long time to do it."

For his part, Hoffman was unable to answer as his tee shot flew into the bunker. He later chipped to the fringe, but his 34-foot attempt for birdie was off the mark.

"Unfortunately, obviously, (I) didn't get it done," said Hoffman, whose only victory on the PGA Tour came in the 2007 Bob Hope Classic.

"Kenny gave me a few opportunities, I gave him a few opportunities and he happened to close the door. Obviously in the playoff, Kenny and I got in some trouble off the tee on 1. Then I had my chance on 18, then I had my chance on 10 and didn't do it."

For his part, Na didn't lament his final putt which went awry, resulting in his third-place finish.

"I hit a good putt, just misread the green a little bit," he said. "I putted awesome today. I made all the clutch putts I needed to. I'm disappointed, but I'm proud of myself."

Collated final-round scores (USA unless stated, par 71):

270 Kenny Perry 72 63 66 69 (Kenny Perry won at the third play-off hole), Charley Hoffman 66 68 69 67

271 Kevin Na 67 70 66 68

272 David Toms 69 68 67 68, James Nitties (Aus) 65 69 70 68

273 Brian Gay 68 68 67 70, Scott Piercy 69 67 66 71, Matt Kuchar 67 67 70 69, Ryan Moore 69 67 68 69

274 Jeff Maggert 70 68 66 70, Cliff Kresge 68 69 68 69

275 Nick Watney 70 63 72 70, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 72 69 69 65, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 72 65 69 69, Zach Johnson 71 66 68 70, Michael Letzig 70 67 69 69

276 John Senden (Aus) 68 70 72 66, Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 70 69 65 72, Parker McLachlin 68 71 69 68, D.J. Trahan 68 74 69 65

277 Brandt Jobe 72 69 69 67, J J Henry 69 71 68 69, Woody Austin 69 72 69 67, Kevin Sutherland 68 71 69 69

278 Brendon De Jonge 71 67 69 71, Jonathan Kaye 68 71 69 70, Sean O'Hair 69 69 69 71, Bubba Watson 68 70 69 71, Luke Donald (Eng) 76 65 68 69, Carl Pettersson (Swe) 71 68 69 70, Jonathan Byrd 72 69 67 70

279 Chad Campbell 70 70 72 67, Chris DiMarco 73 69 70 67, David Berganio Jnr. 66 71 72 70

280 Hunter Mahan 73 67 69 71, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 69 73 66 72, Jarrod Lyle (Aus) 71 69 69 71, Ted Purdy 71 68 65 76, Rocco Mediate 68 70 67 75, Troy Matteson 70 68 69 73, Kevin Streelman 73 69 69 69

281 Kirk Triplett 70 70 70 71, Brett Quigley 69 71 75 66, Lucas Glover 65 72 75 69, Cameron Beckman 68 67 75 71, Briny Baird 67 74 72 68, Bob Tway 71 71 69 70

282 Jeff Klauk 74 66 72 70, Pat Perez 69 73 70 70, Nathan Green (Aus) 73 69 67 73, Steve Flesch 69 72 68 73, Mark Wilson 70 72 71 69

283 Dudley Hart 71 71 70 71, Scott McCarron 70 72 66 75, Vaughn Taylor 69 69 73 72, Steve Elkington (Aus) 70 69 71 73

284 Charlie Wi (Kor) 73 68 71 72

285 Fredrik Jacobson (Swe) 72 65 74 74, Rickie Fowler 73 66 72 74

286 John Merrick 72 70 70 74, Jeff Overton 70 72 68 76, Joe Ogilvie 71 70 73 72, Ryan Palmer 73 67 68 78, Gary Woodland 70 71 67 78

287 Webb Simpson 68 67 77 75

288 Dean Wilson 69 73 76 70, Ben Curtis 71 71 74 72

289 Nicholas Thompson 72 68 77 72, Jason Bohn 71 71 74 73

290 Brad Adamonis 68 70 75 77, John Rollins 71 71 74 74


COLIN MONTGOMERIE FACTFILE
McILROY BLOSSOMS IN THE DESERT

McILROY BLOSSOMS IN THE DESERT

Rory McIlroy is aiming to take his game to the next level after claiming a thrilling maiden professional victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

The 19-year-old held his nerve to hole a three-foot putt for par at the last, sealing a final-round two-under-par 70 to finish one shot ahead of Justin Rose, who could have forced a play-off but missed a birdie putt at 18 and had to settle for a 67.

McIlroy's six-shot lead at the start of today had been whittled down to one by the time the Northern Irishman headed up the final fairway, but he kept his composure for the vital putt to secure the win.

Afterwards he was delighted to have risen 15 places to 14th in the world rankings and to second in the Race to Dubai, and he wants to continue his recent run of form in America where he will play four events before April's Masters.

"This win has definitely moved me up a step and I just want to keep getting better and better," said McIlroy.

"Your success only makes you more motivated to do better. I have become a very good player, but I still have a lot of years to progress and I just want to keep improving and hopefully one day I will be able to compete with Tiger (Woods).

"I will have to reassess my goals, but I will just go out every week and try and get myself into contention going into the back nine on Sunday and that's my goal every week."

McIlroy came close to his maiden win last year when he suffered play-off defeats at the European Masters and Hong Kong Open and it appeared to be again slipping through his young hands as five consecutive birdies around the turn were cancelled out by three straight bogeys on the back nine.

He set pulses racing as he overhit his approach to the final green into a back bunker, but he chipped out to three feet - a shot he rates as the best from the sand he has ever played.

And after watching 2007 Order of Merit winner Rose miss a 15-foot putt which would have forced a play-off, McIlroy converted his par to claim the biggest cheque of his career.

"You watch it on TV and you see guys coming down the stretch with a four- or five-shot lead and you think it's easy, but it's not," he added.

"You still have to play the shots and hole the putts. I got myself into a great position in the middle of the back nine, but Justin fought back. But it was nice to hold it together on the last and get a great up and down.

"It's definitely a burden off my shoulders.

"If I hadn't won having a six-shot lead it would have been pretty hard to take and pretty hard to come back from. But I was able to scrape in at the end. It's not about how many but how in the end.

"All these situations I have put myself in is all experience and I am gathering them all in. Obviously all the experiences I have had in the past helped me today and hopefully this experience will help me in the future."

All but three of the top 15 places were taken by Europeans, with Henrik Stenson third and Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson tied for fourth.

Miguel Angel Jimenez finished joint seventh ahead of world number two Sergio Garcia, while new Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was 13th alongside Alvaro Quiros and Ross Fisher.

Collated final round scores & totals in the European Tour Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

269 Rory McIlroy 64 68 67 70

270 Justin Rose 68 66 69 67

271 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 68 65 71 67

272 Paul Casey 68 68 68 68, Robert Karlsson (Swe) 65 71 71 65, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 70 67 68 67

275 Anthony Wall 70 68 68 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 72 70 67 66, Scott Strange (Aus) 69 71 66 69, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 68 65 68 74

276 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70 66 73 67, Richard Green (Aus) 71 63 69 73

277 Ross Fisher 72 69 67 69, Colin Montgomerie 70 70 70 67, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 70 68 75 64

278 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 69 68 72 69, Anders Hansen (Den) 71 71 65 71, Oliver Wilson 71 68 73 66, Bradley Dredge 73 68 71 66

279 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 70 69 70 70, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 67 66 73

280 Alexander Noren (Swe) 67 71 70 72, Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe) 69 73 70 68

282 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 71 72 68, Graeme McDowell 70 72 72 68, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 70 72 72 68, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 69 72 72 69, Peter Hanson (Swe) 71 67 72 72, Gary Murphy 75 68 68 71, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 66 70 73 73, Mark Foster 69 74 66 73

283 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 69 72 69 73, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 72 68 72 71, Simon Dyson 71 68 73 71, Gregory Havret (Fra) 67 68 72 76

284 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 69 73 69 73, Gary Orr 71 70 71 72 ,Andrew McLardy (Rsa) 70 72 72 70

285 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 74 69 70 72, Mark Brown (USA) 70 73 73 69, Lee Westwood 70 70 73 72, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 69 70 71 75, Simon Wakefield 73 70 69 73

286 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 70 72 71, Stephen Dodd 71 69 73 73 ,Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 73 68 73 72

287 Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 71 71 73 72, Richard Finch 71 71 71 74, Alastair Forsyth 71 70 75 71, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 71 73 73

288 Matthew Turner 70 72 71 75, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 67 72 76 73, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 70 71 76 71

289 Darren Clarke 74 69 72 74, Graeme Storm 68 70 77 74, Paul Broadhurst 70 70 72 77

290 Alvaro Velasco (Spa) 69 71 77 73, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 74 69 73 74

291 Paul Waring 67 73 77 74

292 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 72 71 76 73, Christian Cevaer (Fra) 73 70 76 73, Gareth Maybin 70 70 77 75, Alejandro Canizares (Spa) 72 71 74 75

293 Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 71 72 78 72

294 Lee Slattery 69 74 76 75, Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 73 68 77 76

296 Paul Lawrie 68 75 74 79

301 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 70 72 82 77


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WHO WILL BE MONTY’S MEN IN 2010?
McILROY IN CONTROL IN DUBAI

MONTGOMERIE: NO NEED TO PANIC

New Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has refused to panic amid calls to increase the number of captain's picks that will be at his disposal at Celtic Manor next year.

The 45-year-old five-time winner was appointed in Dubai on Wednesday and although the move is seen as the first step in regaining the initiative following the defeat at Valhalla, Montgomerie refused to confirm any changes to the qualification process.

The United States' move to increase the picks available from two to four was seen as a key factor in the 16.5 -11.5 win which ended Europe's bid for a fourth straight victory as it allowed captain Paul Azinger to pick players in form.

Montgomerie said: "The next full committee meeting will be in Ireland in May and the qualification process of the team will be on the agenda.

"I don't want to get into a stage of panicking because we lost the Ryder Cup, there is no need to panic but that will be on the agenda in May."

Europe's team are currently made up from the leading five players on the Ryder Cup world points list and then the leading five players who are not otherwise qualified from the European points list before the captain then chooses the two remaining places.

But it could lead to a situation where a player earns high rankings points at the beginning of the qualification process, which begins at the European Masters at the start of September, but struggling come October 1 after the process ends at the Johnnie Walker Championships at Gleneagles at the end of August.

Montgomerie has confirmed he will increase the number of vice-captains and assistants at Celtic Manor after predecessor Nick Faldo was criticised after only used Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in Kentucky.

"It is difficult to judge the backroom team as I wasn't there but my optimum number is more than we had last time," added Montgomerie.

The Scot hinted Thomas Bjorn, who is chairman of the players' committee who appointed Montgomerie, will also have a role in his team at Celtic Manor should the Dane fail to qualify as a player.

Bjorn, 37, was part of the victorious Ryder Cup teams in 1997 and 2002 but is now ranked 213th in the world.

"I do respect him," said Montgomerie. "He did a wonderful job under Bernhard Langer in 2004 as a captain's assistant and I would hope to use Thomas, if he doesn't quality for the team, in any way, shape or form."


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MONTGOMERIE NAMED RYDER CUP CAPTAIN

McILROY IN CONTROL IN DUBAI

Rory McIlroy will look to build on the experience of all his near misses on Sunday as he looks to claim a first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic after spectacularly taking control of the fog-affected event on Saturday.

The 19-year-old former world amateur number one sits at the top of the third round leaderboard on 15 under par, two clear of former champion Richard Green and in-form South African Louis Oosthuizen.

Both of them and the majority of the field must complete their third rounds in the morning after six hours of play was lost over the first two days.

First round leader McIlroy had earlier snatched the second round lead with an eagle three on the 18th green before ending his day with a second, this time on the 10th to move onto three under in fading light.

The world number 39 has yet to turn the hype, which has seen new Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie pick out McIlroy out as a potential candidate for Celtic Manor next year, into a professional breakthrough after suffering two play-off defeats last year.

But in the form which has seen him record top-five finishes in his last five events, it is surely closer than ever.

"It would be a huge first victory, it's one of the best events on Tour. For this to be my first win, if I could pull it off, it would be absolutely fantastic," said McIlroy.

"But I have just got the 11th tee shot in the morning on my mind and that's all I can do, just think about that and see what happens tomorrow.

"I think I have learnt a lot from those experiences. It will stand me in good stead and hopefully if I keep playing the way I am, I'll definitely be able to go close."

McIlroy rates the third round eagle as the best of the two and rightly so as he plunged a five iron to within two feet for a simple tap-in after earlier holing from 25 feet from the fringes of the 18th green following a cautious approach into the dangerous final green at Emirates Golf Club.

But with playing partner Oosthuizen, the runner-up at the last two events in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and 1997 winner Green leading the chase, McIlroy is not getting carried away with another mammoth day ahead on Sunday.

But the ambitious Northern Irishman is looking forward to the prospect of another final day battle so soon after November's play-off defeat in Hong Kong.

"Louis made birdie on seven just before me and I knew I had to just grind out the putt and I holed it for par which was nice," he added.

"It was then a great way to finish and puts me into a great position going into tomorrow morning."

Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Scott Strange, Thomas Levet and Abu Dhabi winner Paul Casey are also all well placed at 10 under with former champions Robert-Jan Derksen and Dubai-based Henrik Stenson in touching distance at nine under.

Frenchman Levet was able to sign for a third round six under 66 and was only one of 17 out of the 68 who made the cut to complete their third rounds.


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OOSTHUIZEN FIRES ACE

In-form South African Louis Oosthuizen fired a hole-in-one on Saturday during the second round of the delayed Dubai Desert Classic.

Oosthuizen has finished runner-up at the last two events in Abu Dhabi and Qatar and continued his bid for a maiden European Tour title after a second round seven-under-par 65 today left the 26-year-old just a shot adrift of halfway leader Rory McIlroy.

After reaching the turn in level par Oosthuizen picked up five shots in a four holes, helped out by the 168-yard six-iron strike at the par three 11th.

"I saw it all the way. It came running towards the pin and next thing you know, my playing partners turned around and gave me a high-five so I guessed it was in," he said.

"It was a great club at the middle of the flag and it dropped in, it was a nice feeling.

"It's my first one in tournament golf. I liked it from the start and it dropped a metre from the hole and rolled in so it was good.

"I had one when I was 13. I think it was the same distance but the only difference was it was a three-iron. It was a nice shot and I'll never forget that. That was back in South Africa and I won't forget this one either."

Oosthuizen's stroke average for his last 14 round stands at 67.5, which is four lower than his career average.

"All the work I've put in with my coach is starting to come through," he added.

"I'm having a lot more fun on the golf course and that just helps a lot by not putting two much pressure on myself and just enjoying it."

Oosthuizen is a five-time winner in his native South Africa but has yet to win on the European Tour.


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CASEY BACKS MONTY CAPTAINCY

Two-time Ryder Cup winner Paul Casey believes Colin Montgomerie's experience as a victorious Seve Trophy captain will prove ideal preparation for Celtic Manor next year.

Casey, who has appeared in the last three Ryder Cups, won the Seve Trophy under Montgomerie on three straight occasions in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and backed the Scot to succeed Nick Faldo prior to yesterday's announcement in Dubai.

And after the 45-year-old five-time Ryder Cup winner was named to lead Europe in Wales, Casey joined the collective backing for Montgomerie to lead the bid to reclaim the coveted trophy.

"I experienced captain Monty before in the Seve Trophy role, which clearly is not the pressure-packed event of the Ryder Cup, but I think it's given people an indication as to what he would be like and he was excellent. He looked after the players brilliantly and the communication was superb," said Casey after an opening round four-under-par 68 at the Dubai Desert Classic today.

"The passion you see Monty put in in a Ryder Cup, he comes alive. I think you're going to see that in how he approaches his captaincy. I think he's going to be fantastic so I can't wait to see how it develops.

"I want to get back on that team and be part of the team that brings the Cup for not only Europe but also Colin."

Montgomerie made the first of eight Ryder Cup appearances in 1991 under Bernard Gallacher and went on to win in 1995, 1997, 2002, 2004 and 2006 and has never lost any of the eight singles matches he has played.

Four-time Ryder Cup winner Lee Westwood was also part of Montgomerie's victorious Great Britain & Ireland teams at the Seve Trophy in 2002 and 2003.

"His career is remembered for a fantastic Ryder Cup record and never having lost a singles and having been part of the Ryder Cup team for the last 16-18 years," said Westwood after his opening round 70 today in Dubai.

"He's good in the team room. He pulls everybody together. He's very vocal around the table in the team room and will lead like he's done when he's been a player."

Ryder Cup rookie Justin Rose has also experienced victory under Montgomerie at the 2003 Seve Trophy and is confident he can continue his self-proclaimed Ryder Cup "legacy" next year.

"He's had an incredible career and the Ryder Cup has often brought out the best in him," said the former Order of Merit winner after his 68 today.

"I always knew he would be captain at some stage and why not now. He's certainly in with all the players and his face will still be around a lot so I think he will be really effective in terms of a wildcard situation and the form of the players running into it."


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CLARKE: MONTY IDEAL FOR CUP CAPTAINCY

WHO WILL BE MONTY'S MEN IN 2010?

So now we know that Colin Montgomerie will be the captain. But who will be playing under him at Celtic Manor next year?

Twenty months before the Americans defend the Ryder Cup here is a prediction, with some tips that might help win back the trophy:

PADRAIG HARRINGTON (Ire). 37. Three majors now, how many by October 2010? Montgomerie won't care as long as the Dubliner does better than he has in the last two matches: nine games and not a single win. Caps 5. Played 21 Won 7 Halved 3 Lost 11.

Message to Monty: He's your star, so make him your on-course leader.

SERGIO GARCIA (Spa). 29. Up to world number two and given his age could well end up as the Ryder Cup's leading scorer. Has never lost in foursomes, yet Nick Faldo rested him in Louisville. Caps 5. P24 W14 H4 L6.

Message to Monty: Don't have him sitting in a buggy, even if he says he's tired.

ROBERT KARLSSON (Swe). 39. Europe's leading money-winner last year, member of last two teams and played like a world-beater at times last September. At long last starting to belief he can win anywhere. Caps 2. P7 W1 H4 L2.

Message to Monty: Keep reminding him how good he is.

HENRIK STENSON (Swe). 32. 2007 World Match Play winner and third and fourth in the last two majors. His time may be coming and it would surprise nobody because he definitely has the game. Caps 2. P7 W2 H2 L3.

Message to Monty: He's the one who suggested you as captain, now get the most out of him.

LEE WESTWOOD (Eng). 35. Equalled Arnold Palmer's unbeaten Ryder Cup run, then was benched by Faldo and lost his next two games. Has beaten Tiger Woods five out of six times. Caps 6. P29 W14 H5 L10.

Message to Monty: Woods will be back, so Westwood's your man.

LUKE DONALD (Eng). 31. 100% record in four foursomes with Garcia and was badly missed at Valhalla after undergoing wrist surgery. Back playing after six months out and even if he needs a wild card it will be worth giving him one. Caps 2. P7 W5 H1 L1.

Message to Monty: Donald and Garcia. Write it down as a pairing now.

PAUL CASEY (Eng). 31. Has just ended two years without a victory and Montgomerie will be hoping it is a launchpad for greater things. Casey has always had the potential - he and Donald won four points out of four at the 1999 Walker Cup. Caps 3. P9 W3 H4 L2.

Message to Monty: Keep showing him his hole-in-one at The K Club.

IAN POULTER (Eng). 33. Controversial pick by Faldo, but boy did he respond - four points out of five to be the top scorer on either side. Justin Rose said his friend played best when he had a point to prove and how right he was. Caps 2. P7 W5 L2.

Message to Monty: Forget your past clashes with him. He can play.

MARTIN KAYMER (Ger). 24. 2007 Rookie of the Year who won twice last season and came so close to making the team that Faldo invited him to America for the experience. He lapped it up and is earning rave reviews. Uncapped.

Message to Monty: Get to know him.

JUSTIN ROSE (Eng). 28. Had to work hard to get into the 2008 side, but then rose to the challenge with three wins out of four. He will be disappointed if he hasn't at least challenged for a major by the time of the next match. Caps 1. P4 W3 L1.

Message to Monty: Rose and Poulter. Write it down now.

RORY MCILROY. 19. Boy wonder whom many thought capable of becoming the event's youngest-ever player last year. Did not make it, but he has into April's Masters and the sky seems the limit. Uncapped.

Message to Monty: Put him under Westwood's wing.

ROSS FISHER (Eng). 28. The way he won the European Open last July was simply stunning and with his length he just has to find more consistency to be one of Europe's leading lights. Uncapped.

Message to Monty: Tell him how much Celtic Manor is like The London Club.


MONTGOMERIE NAMED RYDER CUP CAPTAIN
CLARKE: MONTY IDEAL FOR CUP CAPTAINCY