Rock holds off Woods, McIlory to win Abu Dhabi tournament

By The Associated Press
Published: January 29, 2012

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Robert Rock of England held his nerve to hold off Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods and win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Sunday.

The 117th-ranked Rock shot a 2-under 70 for an overall 13-under 275 to beat the Northern Irishman by a shot and the American by two.

Rock and Woods were tied for the lead going into the final round. After both players opened with birdies on two of the first three holes, Rock took the lead for good when Woods bogeyed the next two holes.

Woods closed the gap to one after Rock's bad chip led to a bogey on No. 13. But the 34-year-old Englishman had birdies on two of the next three holes to seize control.

McIlroy shot a 69 to steal second with Woods (72) in joint third.