Kenyan Erupe wins Seoul marathon, sets course record

 

Running in cool and foggy conditions, Kenyan Wilson Loyanae shattered the mens’ course record at the 83rd Seoul International Marathon today, clocking 2:05:37.

The 26-year-old Loyanae knocked 1:12 from this IAAF Gold Label Road Race’s previous course mark set by countryman Sylvester Teimet in 2010.

Tadese Feyse of Ethiopia dominated the women’s race, winning by more than two minutes in 2:23:26.

Men’s race –

A pack of 20 took off from the start line at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul lead by Loyanae, whose personal best of 2:09:23 was set at the Gyeongju Marathon last year. He would kep his dominance until the finish line.

By the 5th kilometre mark the pack split into two groups of 12 and eight runners. The leading group went through 5 km mark in 14:56 leaving the second pack some 50 metres behind. Among the leaders were Kenyans James Kipsang Kwambai, 29, (PB 2:04:27), 22-year old Eliud Kiptanui with PB 2:05:39 set in 2010, Philip Kimutai Sanga (PB 2:06:07), Felix Kipkemboy Keny, 25 (PB 2:07:36, 2010), Charles Munyeki Kiama, 25, (PB 2:07:06, 2009) and Edwin Kangogo Kimaiyo, 26 (PB 2:09:50, 2011). Eritrean Yonas Kifle, a sub-2:08 runner, was also in the chase.

The leading dozen passed the 10 km mark in 29:45 accelerating by 7 seconds, compared with the previous 5 km. The group of eight following them thinned to six losing two Korean runners and falling more than a hundred metres behind.

The 15 km mark was passed by the same 12-runner pack in 44:46, 12 seconds slower than the previous 5 km. The chase group also slowed, lagging 47 seconds behind the pack. The 20 km mark was passed by the same dozen men in 59:46 moving with almost the same speed, while the six-man chase pack now lagged almost 400 metres behind.

At 25 km (1:14:46) the pack was reduced to 11, losing one Kenyan runner but keeping the same speed.

By the 30th kilometre the leaders accelerated a bit, by 3 seconds, compared with the previous 5 km, having passed it in 1:29:43, and losing two more Kenyans - Kangogo and Michael Kagumu Chege, who clocked 2:14:19 in Chuncheon last year. The leaders passed 35 km in 1:45:14, the nine still running as a group with a chance to win.

Over the next 5 km stretch the runners started dividing the prize purse. Loyanae made a bold surge to the front and passed 40 km mark in 1:59:25, 1:20 faster than the previous 5 km. The rest of the pack also accelerated but was now stretched along the closing segment of the course. Loyenae’s nearest rivals, Kipsang Kwambai  and Kiptanui, fell behind by 50 and 250 metres respectively at 40 km. Loyenae continued accelerating and finished unchallenged.

Kipsang Kwambai clocked 2:06:03 for second, with Kiptanui third in 2:06:44, both under the previous course record. Kifle, who finished eighth, was the only non-Kenyan in the top-10.

Women’s race –

From the gun 23-year-old Feyse took charge of a large pack of 15 and never lost the lead.

By the 5th kilometre (16:50) the pack thinned to four including Feyse: her compatriot Askale Tafa Magarsa, 27 (PB 2:21:31, 2008), and Kenyans Hellen Wanjiku Mugo (PB 2:36:28, 2011) and Flomena Chepchichir (2:24:21, 2011).  Frankfurt Marathon. A group of 10 followed 49 seconds behind. Among these was 29-year-old Serena Burla from the U.S. who arrived with a 2:35:08 career best.

The pack of four passed 10 km in 34:00, slowing down by 20 seconds compared with the previous 5 km; 15 km was reached in 51:16, while the chae pack was reduced to six.

By the 20 Km (1:08:17) mark Wanjiku Mugo was dropped as the three remaining in the hunt forged on through 25 km in 1:25:22. By 30 km (1:42:18) Chepchirchir was dropped as well leaving just the two Ethiopians.

Five kilometres later Feyse had a nine-second lead on Magarsa before pulling away in the waning stages en route to a personal best by nearly two minutes. Magarsa was next across the line in 2:25:29 with Burla moving up to finish third in 2:28:27, nearly seven minutes better than her previous best.

Leading Results:

MEN -

1. Wilson Loyanae, KEN 2:05:37

2. James Kipsang Kwambai, KEN 2:06:03

3. Eliud Kiptanui, EN 2:06:44

4. Philip Kimutai Sanga, KEN 2:06:51

5. Felix Kipkemboy Keny, KEN  2:07:31

6. Charles Munyeki Kiama, KEN 2:07:41

7. Jairus Ondora Chanchaima, KEN 2:07:43

8. Yonas Kifle, ERI 2:08:51

9. William Chebon Chebor, KEN 2:10:27

10. Edwin Kangogo Kimaiyo, KEN 2:10:29

WOMEN -

1. Tadese Feyse, ETH 2:23:26

2. Askale Tafa Magarsa, ETH 2:25:29

3. Serena Burla, USA 2:28:27

4. Kim Sung Eun, KOR 2:29:53

5. Hellen Wanjiku Mugo, KEN 2:30:01

6. Ines Melchor, PER 2:30:04

7. Tatiana Filonyuk, UKR 2:30:11

8. Chung Yun Hee, KOR 2:30:34

McIlroy holds off Tiger, goes to No. 1

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP)—Rory McIlroy was six holes away from winning the Honda Classic and going to No. 1 in the world, an outcome that looked inevitable as he stood on the 13th green Sunday at PGA National.
That’s when he heard the roar.
Even from the farthest corner of the course, McIlroy knew it was for Tiger Woods. And McIlroy could tell by the sheer volume that it was an eagle.
“I could hear the huge roar,” McIlroy said. “And it definitely wasn’t a birdie roar.”
For Woods, it was a moment that finally put some color into that red shirt, a birdie-eagle finish for a 62, the lowest final round of his career to get within one shot of the lead and force the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland to play the final hour with little room for error.
But this is no ordinary kid.
McIlroy answered with clutch shots of his own, a performance that showed why he’s the new No. 1 in golf.

He poured in the 8-foot birdie putt on the 13th for a two-shot lead. He gouged out a wedge from grass so deep he could barely see the ball to save par on the 14th, and he twice saved par from the bunker on the scary par 3s for a 1-under 69 and a two-shot win.
“It was tough today, especially seeing Tiger make a charge,” McIlroy said. “I knew par golf would probably be good enough. To shoot 1 under in these conditions, when you go into the round with the lead, is very nice. And I was just able to get the job done.”

McIlroy became the 16th player to be No. 1 since the world ranking began in 1986, and the fourth player in the last 16 months since Woods abdicated the top spot after a five-year reign. McIlroy replaced Luke Donald and became the second-youngest player to be No. 1 behind Woods, who was 21 when he first got to the top after the 1997 U.S. Open.
“It was always a dream of mine to become the world No. 1 and the best player in the world or whatever you want to call it,” McIlroy said. “But I didn’t know what I would be able to get here this quickly. … Hopefully, I can hold onto it for a little longer.”

He celebrated by flying to New York to spend time with his girlfriend, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, before returning to south Florida next week for a World Golf Championship.

Donald responded quickly to the victory, tweeting “Congrats (at)McIlroyRory enjoy the view!”

Woods made two eagles in the final round and wound up two shots behind, his best finish on the PGA Tour since he was runner-up in the 2009 Tour Championship. Tom Gillis birdied the last hole for a 69 to join Woods as a runner-up.

McIlroy, who finished on 12-under 268, won for the fifth time in his career. Three of those are on the PGA Tour, including his record-setting victory in the U.S. Open last summer at Congressional.

He has finished out of the top five only once since the PGA Championship last August, winning three times, including the Shanghai Masters in an unofficial event against a world-class field.

“There’s very few players as good at him at his age out there winning tournaments,” three-time major champion Padraig Harrington said. “There are guys with potential, but he’s already delivered. And he has a good balance in his life. He doesn’t look like a guy who is going to burn out. He looks like he’s going to be here for a while.”

McIlroy shared a big hug with his father, Gerry, as he walked off the 18th green. His parents have come over from Holywood to stay with him in south Florida through the Masters, where McIlroy figures to be a top favorite
After a Sunday like this, no one will be quick to rule out Woods.

He was nine shots behind going into the final round, and even a 31 on the front nine in blustery conditions left him five shots behind McIlroy. But the finish—especially that 5-iron into the 18th green—was vintage Woods, and it at least gave him a chance.

“To me, it was the old Tiger back, the guy that I remember,” said Ernie Els, who played alongside him. “He never missed a shot or made a bad swing.”

Lee Westwood, playing two groups ahead of Woods, closed with a 63 to finish alone in fourth.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” Graeme McDowell said. “It was just roars going up all over the golf course. “For Rory to go out today with a two-shot lead and have Tiger shoot 62 on him and Westwood shoot 63, it just shows how hard it is to win golf tournaments on any tour in the world, but especially this tour.

“This golf season just got a lot more spicy.”

McIlroy wasn’t at this best on the front nine, though he did what the best players tend to do by turning a suspect round into a decent score. Despite having only two reasonable birdie chances on the front nine—he made one of them—McIlroy saved himself with a pair of par putts from 12 feet and another one from 8 feet.

No one looked capable of catching him.

Woods was still five shots behind until a finish that served as a reminder why this guy can’t be counted out—not at PGA National, certainly not with the Masters around the corner.

“I figured I had to go birdie-birdie to have a chance,” Woods said.

He did one better.

First, Woods dropped a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, followed by a big tee shot on an aggressive line that left him a 5-iron into the par-5 18th, with the pin tucked over a bunker to the right side of the green near the water. Woods said it reminded him of his famous shot on the 18th at Glen Abbey in the 2000 Canadian Open, a 6-iron out of a bunker and over the water to a tight pin.

This one cleared the sand and settled 8 feet away, and Woods swept his fist when it dropped for eagle.
He finished at 270, his lowest 72-hole score since he had a 265 at the 2009 BMW Championship, his last PGA Tour win.
The roar of his eagle didn’t rattle McIlroy.
“I heard the roar on 18 when Tiger made eagle and I was just about to line up my putt for birdie on 13,” McIlroy said. “I was able to hole that putt, which was very important. I knew if I could just play the last five holes at even par, it was going to be good enough.

“Great to get the job done, and very happy to come out on top.”
With so much emphasis on his swing, the final hour was all about his will. No shot was more impressive than the par save on No. 14, when he was 65 feet away in such a mangled lie that he easily could have hit it too hard and gone over the green, or left it well short.
“You just have to really go down for it and hope it comes out the way you think,” McIlroy said. “Luckily for me, it did, and it left me a pretty simple 4-footer up the hill.”
McIlroy had seven one-putt greens (another was a birdie from the fringe) in the final round, and one-putted four of the last six holes.
“Even if I don’t play my best golf, I can still challenge, which gives me a lot of confidence,” McIlroy said. “When I’m firing on all cylinders, I feel like I’m hard to beat.”

Kenyans, Ethiopians share the spoils at Vadodara Half Marathon

Vadodara Athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya yet again proved their mettle in long-distance running by bagging all the top 10 positions in both men’s and women’s categories of the Vadodara International Half Marathon on Sunday.
While Ethiopia’s Shiferaw Belery and Mekkebu Birkeayele finished first and second respectively in men’s category, Kenya’s Silas Muturi was the third to cross the finish line. Belery and Birkeayele completed the 21-km run in 1:01:02 hours with the former beating his fellow countrymen by fraction of a second while Muturi took 1:01:06 hours.
In women’s category, Ethiopia’s Yeprgaul Melese bagged the first position (1:01:02) followed by compatriot Naomi Jepnejetich, who was fractionally behind her, and Kenya’s Jamila, who clocked 1:01:06.
The top three runners in both the categories took home Rs 2.5 lakh, Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 75,000 respectively.
Interestingly, all the 20 positions in the main events were grabbed by Ethiopians and Kenyans. In the men’s category, first, second, sixth, ninth and 10th positions went to Ethiopians while the rest were bagged by Kenyans.
As many as 34 Ethiopians and 17 Kenyan athletes participated in the event.
Earlier in the morning, Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the race at the Vaccine Ground. More than 40,000 people participated in the event

2012 Kaohsiung International Marathon dazzling achievement

Franis  Kibii,Isaac Kimayio and Richard Mutisya

2012 Kaohsiung International Marathon yesterday morning World Games main stadium grand opening run, 0500, the sky is still dark, chilly, but the crowd to participate in the Kaohsiung International Marathon has arrived in the World Games Main Stadium. with the activities of early departure of the MRT classes in full, the dark mass of the crowd will World Games Main Stadium MRT station packed. 6, the opening ceremony debut, First the Shuter Vocational High School competitive cheerleading performances, then led by Shuter teacher of all the contestants to do warm-up operation, drive away the chill, some exercise. 　 　2012 Kaohsiung International Marathon route planning and strive to improve, Kaohsiung National Stadium (World Games Main Stadium) as a starting point, from the World Games Avenue passes through the Kaohsiung Arena, the heart of love, the beautiful island of the MRT stations, 85 building, in love Lantern Festival venue, Lotus Lake, famous attractions, and extends to Tsukuan District mullet cultural centers and oyster Laos with oceanic features regional, domestic and foreign players in a beautiful dawn in Kaohsiung, waterfront, flowers, shade, spacious and comfortable on the road enjoy the Mercedes-Benz, the enthusiasm of feeling along the Residents of the city and the marathon carnival atmosphere throughout the whole city. "Black Corps" 　　Results of the competition, full marathon men by the "Black Army" won the top eight turn Franis Kiptoo Kibii, Isaac Kiplagat Kimaiyo, Richard Mutisya, Fredrick Mwingirwa Mathiu, David Kipkoech, Alex Melly, Kipchumba Elisha, Willy Tanui a total of 790,005 thousand dollar prize taken away, more than half of the total prize money ($ 1.5 million). 9 Taiwan players Jiangjie Wen, 10, Japan's Taira long really. 　 　One of the full marathon women's Taiwanese players Li Xiaoyu, two room wide Xia of the Chinese players, three Kenyan athletes, Susan Jemutai 4-10 players are: Jane Pei Yu, Joan Jeruto (Kenya) Wang Wen cents Zhouling Jun, Ke Shuping Gong Yuan Hong, Huang Yan age. Kenyan female athletes to a total of 80 005 thousand dollar prize, plus the bonus of Kenya male athletes, a total of 88 million yuan more than last year's 78 million in prize money.

Harun Njoroge win at Beppu-Oita Marathon

Kenyan Harun Njoroge won the 61st Beppu-Oita Marathon on Sunday (5) in 2:09:38, the first sub-2:10 performance of his career.

“I am very happy to crack 2:10,” said Njoroge, who runs for Komori Corporation located in Ibaragi prefecture north of Tokyo. It was second straight Marathon victory for Njoroge who won the Hokkaido Marathon last August. Furthermore, in his fifth marathon, Njoroge improved his personal best by more than two minutes.  Although his run wasn’t a Beppu-Oita race record, Njoroge’s time was a record for the course which was modified two years ago.

Ser-Od Bat-Ochir of Mongolia closed fast to finish second in 2:11:05,
a 30-second improvement on his personal best recorded in the 2011 London Marathon. A prolific marathon runner, this was Bat-Ochir’s fifth
Marathon in the last 10 months after London, World Championships in Daegu, Beijing and Hofu.

Marathon debutant Yakob Jarso of Ethiopia finished third with 2:11:13. He ran aggressively after 27 kilometres taking the lead several times in his attempt to break away. However at the end, Jarso failed not only to shake off Njoroge, but was unable to keep up with when the Kenyan made a surge of his own.

As Beppu-Oita is popular with Marathon debutants, several runners beside Jarso made this race the venue for their debuts. The first Japanese in the race was Kohei Matsumura who came from behind strongly in the final 5Km to finish fourth with 2:11:52 in his debut.

“It was really tough after 30Km and I could not pick up the pace. I am disappointed that I was not able to finish in top three,” Matsumura said. Yuki Moriwaki finished fifth with 2:11:52, a personal best. In all, the first five finishers either set personal best or made a successful marathon debut.

Desta Gebrehiwet who finished sixth with 2:12:22, was the first runner who failed to set a personal best today. Seventh place finisher Hiroki Kadota and tenth place finisher Takehiro Arakawa also ran their debuts. Jeffrey Hunt, a former steeplechaser, did come from behind as expected, but was only ninth with 2:13:19, his slowest time and lowest placing in his three appearances in Beppu.

The weather was excellent with very low wind and thus fast time was expected. The pace makers led by Takuya Fukatsu did excellent pace making job in the first two-thirds of the race.
The leading pack of approximately 25 runners passed 5Km in 15:15, slightly faster than the scheduled pace of 15:20 for each 5Km organisers had requested. Australian Hunt, as usual, was running in the chase pack.  Among the elites Adam Draczynski of Poland began to drift back after 9Km. The pace makers continued their excellent job as the 10Km split was 30:33 (15:18 for the last 5Km), and 22 runners passed 15Km in 45:47 (15:14 for the last 5Km). Several runners, including 2003 champion Ramadhani, started to drift back before 20K (1:01:15) although the pace slowed a bit between 15K and 20Km.  Sixteen runners covered the half marathon in 1:04:36.

At 25Km (1:16:40), pacesetter Takuya Fukatsu dropped out leaving two Kenyans with pace making duty.  The race of attrition continued and Wakui and Takeuchi, two domestic invited runners, lost contact. After 27Km Jarso moved to the front and started to push the pace. One kilometre segment, from 27 to 28Km, was covered in 2:59, and a few runners dropped off the pace but the lead pack did not totally break up. Past 30Km (1:31:52) Jarso surged hard once again and only Arakawa tried to stay with him. However, soon Njoroge bridged the gap and actually took the lead from Jarso; by 33Km eight runners are back in the pack.
Before 34Km, Moriwaki made his move and pack has reduced to six runners.  “None of the surges last very long,” said Shigeru Soh, the first Japanese to crack 2:10 (in Beppu back in 1978), from the TV commentating booth.  Soon Arakawa and Gebrehewit started to drift back. Falil and Bat-Ochir also fell back, leaving Jarso, Njoroge and Moriwaki in front by 36Km.  Njoroge pushed the pace in the uphill before 37K and Moriwaki was left behind.  In the downhill that followed Jarso was also left behind. With every step from then on Njoroge began moving away. Meanwhile Matsumura was gaining on the staggering runners. With two kilometres to go, Matsumura moved up to fourth,. In the final kilometre Bat-Ochir passed Jarso to move into second.

Men -
1. Harun Njoroge (KEN)       2:09:38  PB
2. Bat-Ochir (MGL)           2:11:05  PB
3. Yakob Jarso (ETH)         2:11:13  Debut
4. Kohei Matsumura           2:11:17  Debut
5. Yuki Moriwaki             2:11:52  PB
6. Desta Gebrehiwet (ETH)   2:12:22
7. Hiroki Kadota             2:12:27  Debut
8. Keisuke Wakui             2:12:55
9. Jeff Hunt (AUS)           2:13:19
10. Takehiro Arakawa         2:13:39  Debut

Dereje and Misiker set new course records in Hong Kong

Dejere Abera Outsprint Eliud in Hong Kong

Losing a Marathon by one second last year taught Dejere Abera of Ethiopia a lesson that he put to good use this morning (5), when he won the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon – an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race - by less than a second. Indeed so tight and exciting was the men’s finish that Eliud Cheptei in second place shared Dejere’s winning time of 2:11:27, while two more Kenyans, Cosmas Kyeva and Julius Maisei were just one second each further back.

Dejere improved the long standing course record by one minute and 42 seconds, but his colleague, Misiker Demissie took pride of place in that department when her runaway victory in the women’s race, in 2:30:12, took all of three and a half minutes from last year’s course record.

Given the tough course here, and the inevitable humidity, around 90% at one stage, albeit with reasonable temperatures of 16-19C (61-66F), the times were never going to be of the order of last week’s Dubai record breaking spree. But, like Dubai this was another Ethiopian double header to relish, and remind the Kenyans that they’re not going to get all their own way in Olympic year.

The Hong Kong organisers eschew pacing, but with over a dozen men together at halfway, and eight still in contention past 35 kilometres, combined with some of the most clement conditions in race history, a men’s record was always on the cards. And not before time some would say, Ethiopian Belay Wolashe’s 2:13:09 had lasted since the second edition of the event, in 1998.

When the leading quartet broke away with 40K in sight, it was always Dereje who was forcing it from the front, mindful he said later of that one second defeat in Ottawa last year to Laban Moiben of Kenya. Dereje managed to get a 10 metres lead two or three times in the last kilometre, but though he was pulled back each time, and then balked by an errant cyclist on the last turn into the finish in Victoria Park, he never looked like losing at that point.

“It wasn’t a problem,” said an ebullient Dereje, though it wasn’t clear whether he was talking of the cyclist or the three close pursuers. “I knew by then I could win. This is my first time in Hong Kong, but I love it.” And so he should, his win netted him $50,000 with a five figure time bonuses.

Though Cheptei shadowed him through the finish line, the Kenyan admitted he never felt he could win. “He was too strong, I was trying to go with him, but that was to make sure I stayed ahead of the third guy.” Like several of his compatriots last year, Cheptei paid his own way here, but the $1500 investment paid off handsomely, when he picked up $20,000 and a share of the time bonus.

There was more confusion over Misiker’s change of name than her running tactics. It seems that the Ethiopian had an unhappy time running for Bahrain under the name of Teyba Naser and has reverted to a full Ethiopian name of Misiker Mekonnin Demissie, and has been living with husband Zereu Kelele in Albuquerque, New Mexico for some time.

There was no debate about her victory though. She led from the start, and though she had colleague Shitaye Gemechu and Kenyan Winfred Nyansikera right behind until past halfway, when she accelerated at 30 kilometres, she ran right away from them.

“It’s a very hard course, and it was a little humid, but I thought I could win from 30k,” she said, “I’d like to run Boston now (April), because last year I had to drop out. I’d like to run in the Olympics eventually, but Ethiopia has many strong women. It will have to be the next one in Brazil.”

Both her pursuers had other problems, Shitaye finished with a one shoe full of blood from a toe injury, and Nyansikera had to stop for a vomiting fit. But Shitaye just managed to stay ahead to take second, 2:31:44, to Nyansikera’s 2:31:47.

MEN -
1. Dereje ABERA, ETH         2.11.27 (course record)
2. Eliud CHEPTEI, KEN        2.11.27
3. Cosmas KYEVA, KEN      2.11.28
4. Julius MAISEI, KEN          2.11.28
5. George NGETICH, KEN   2.12.19
6. Lilan KIPROP, KEN          2.12.42
7. Haile HAJA, ETH               2.12.43
8. Nigussie CHALA, ETH      2.13.17
9. Patrick KOECH, KEN      2.13.19
10. Nelson ROTICH, KE      2.13.33

WOMEN -
1. Misiker DEMISSIE, ETH              2.30.12 (course record)
2. Shitaye GEMECHU, ETH             2.31.44
3. Winfred NYANSIKERA, KEN    2.31.47
4. KIM Kum-Ok, DPR KOREA      2.32.48
5. Datu Zehara KEDIR, ETH            2.34.14
6. Viola BOR , KEN                        2.37.11
7. Goitetom HAFTU, ETH               2.39.43
8. Malika BENLAFKIR, MAR        2.41.22
9. Mariia TSKAIA, KRG                 2.49.41
10. THI Bin Pham, VTN                  2.56.11

Rocks hold off Woods,Mcllroy to win Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Robert Rock Winner Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship


ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates- Robert Rock held his nerve Sunday to hold off U.S. Open champion Rory Mcllory and Tiger Woods at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for the biggest win of the Englishman's career.

The two players started the day in a tie for the lead and it was the little know Rock,the world number 117 who held his nerve on the final day to collect a second European tour victory with a closing 70 for 275, 13 under par.

The 34-year-old Rock collects a check for 347,024 euros ($460,000) after taking his second European Tour title and will climb into the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 117th.

He hit five birdies and three bogeys today, including losing a shot at the final hole after pushing his drive into a hazard and taking a penalty drop.

Rock and Woods

Wood's sustained excellence over the first three days at the demanding Abu Dhabi Golf Club indicated the 14-time major champion was back to his best but his game unraveled on Sunday as he faded to 72 for 277 under par.

World number three Rory Mcllroy (69) finish second on 276 while Woods had to settle for a share of third spot 

with former US Open champion Graeme Mcdowell (68), who had a hole -in-one at the 12th, and Dane Thomas Bjorn (68).

"i really can't believe i did that today,"said the 34-year-old Englishman after another hot day in the desert, "It is such an amazing feeling.

"I was just happy to be playing alongside Tiger, that was a special honour in itself. Early on I played really well and I surprised myself.

"I hit some good shots and I began to tell myself, 'Why not (go and win it)?'. I've worked very hard at my game over the last few years but I didn't think this would ever happen," added Rock after eclipsing a world-class field.

Woods, seeking a 96th tournament victory, wore his trademark final-day red shirt and was the clear favourite to win at the start of the round.

However, the pinpoint accuracy he showed with his irons and woods earlier in the event suddenly gave way to a succession of errors as he reached only one green in regulation in the opening eight holes.

The 36-year-old American gritted his teeth, producing a scrambling effort on and around the greens just to stay in contention for his first victory in a full-field event for more than two years.

"I had a chance to win the tournament and I didn't do it," said Woods. "I was just a touch off today.

"Some of my shots went a bit further than I thought they would. A couple of my three-woods went about 320 yards and a couple of my eight-irons went about 180.

"Those are numbers I don't normally hit so I am going to have to go away, reassess and figure that out. I putted beautifully but I just didn't give myself enough looks at birdies," added Woods.

"Robert played great today. He was solid and consistent and didn't do anything wrong."

The Englishman, backed by the occasional cry of 'Rocky, Rocky' from the galleries, came close to throwing the title away with a nerve-jangling effort at the par-five 18th.

Italian Open champion Rock smashed a wayward drive into the desert scrub and contemplated a risky recovery even though his ball was in sand and close to a cactus bush.

Taking heed of some wise words from his caddie, Rock eventually decided discretion was the better part of valour and went back 50 yards to the fairway under penalty.

He also fluffed his fourth, a chip in front of the green, but two putts from 30 feet for a bogey six were enough to clinch the title.

Rock said partner Woods had been the perfect playing companion.

"Tiger's a great guy," he added. "He was brilliant to play with and was fantastic to me the whole way round."

It was a case of so near yet so far for McIlroy, with the US Open champion regretting his moment of madness in Friday's second round when he incurred a two-shot penalty for using his hand to brush away sand on the fringe of the ninth green.