Donaldson on a high in Abu Dhabi

JAMIE GETS HIS JUST DESERTS

He might have had to wait 12 years for his first European Tour victory in last June’s Irish Open but for Jamie Donaldson the wait for his second was much shorter as he grabbed a dramatic victory in the  Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The 37 year old Welshman started the final day at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club two shots behind Englishman Justin Rose but overhauled the World Number Five with a final round 68 for a 14 under par total of 274, even affording the luxury of a dropped shot at the last to win by a shot.

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Brilliant victory for Branden at Binhai Lake GC

South African Branden Grace secured his third win of the year and the biggest of his career when he beat defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium by three strokes in the Volvo China Open.

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OLESEN WINS IN SICILY

Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen held on for a first European Tour victory at the Sicilian Open despite a gallant challenge from England's Chris Wood, who equalled the Verdura Golf Resort & Spa course record.
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Rose claims fourth tour win in USA

England's Justin Rose overcame a string of challengers to claim the biggest victory of his career in Miami after a dramatic day's golf.

A closing 70 for 16 under par gave Rose his fifth European Tour title at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, the second of this season's World Golf Championships.
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Archer on target

Phillip Archer claimed the third Challenge Tour title of his career after he held his nerve and holed a tricky four-foot putt to win the inaugural Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic with a two under par round of 70.

The Englishman was two shots clear at one point during an enthralling final day at Country Club de Barranquilla in Colombia but superb performances down the stretch from young guns Chris Lloyd and Morten Orum Madsen meant Archer had to birdie a final hole on which he had failed to gain a shot all week to avoid a play-off.

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McIlroy becomes World No1

Rory McIlroy’s victory in the Honda Classic saw him move to the No1 spot of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.
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Westwood takes the lead in the desert

Lee Westwood stormed to the top of a congested leaderboard on day three of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as Rory McIlroy and Thomas Björn faltered.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

World No1 Luke Donald ready for action in Abu Dhabi

World No1- England's Luke Donald in action on the 12th tee during the Pro-Am for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship played at Abu Dhabi GC, United Arab Emirates.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Tiger in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods (USA) was full of cheer during interview at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, United Arab Emirates this week from 26th - 29th January.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Volvo Golf Champions - Fancourt Links 19-22 January 2012

5th hole Par 5 - Fancourt Links

15th Hole Par 4 - Fancourt Links

2nd Green / 18th fairway - Fancourt Links

Grace captures Joburg Open

Branden Grace (RSA)  had a maiden European Tour win by capturing the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC on 17 under par. He won by one shot from England's Jamie Elson.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Joint lead for Jamie in Joburg

Jamie Elson (ENG) recorded a stunning 63 over the West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. He joins Ireland's Damien McGrane on 8 under par.

Defending Champion Charl Schwartzel (RSA) is currently level par after 15 on the East Course before play was suspended due to thunderstorms.

Quiros quick to enter Qatar

Spain's big hitting Alvaro Quiros has entered the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy being played at Doha Golf Club from 02-05 February 2012.

He is pictured here being thrown into the water beside the 18th green after his victory in  2009 by fellow spanish players Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Africa Open Double Winner

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) successfully defended his title and won the 2012 Africa Open Golf Challenge at East London Golf Club, South Africa in fine style with a score of  27 under par. www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Africa Open

Defending champion, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) leads a strong South African challenge going into the final round of the 2012 Africa Open played at East London Golf Club, South Africa.www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Westwood ends his year on a high

Lee Westwood (ENG) won the Thailand Open by seven shots at Amata Spring Country Club, Bangkok. www.philinglisgolfphotography.com

Rory McIlroy joins Horizon Sports Management

Rory McIlroy drops Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler as manager and joins Dublin based Horizon Sports Management.

Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup team mate Graeme McDowell

The current US Open Champion joins his Ryder Cup team mate Graeme McDowell who is also managed by Horizon Sports Management.

Apulia San Domenico Grand Final 2011

My next assignment is on The Challenge Tour -  The Apulia San Domenico Grand Final and is taking place at San Domenico Golf in Puglia, Italy from 2-5 November.

San Domenico GC 18th hole

San Domenico GC General view towards the Adriatic Sea

It is arguably one of Italy's finest golf courses, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and was designed by European Golf Design.

Players to watch out for at this tournament

Sam Little (ENG) currently on top form, winning three of the last
five events.

Ricardo Santos (POR) has had seven top ten finishes this season
and a win in Sweden.

Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) has reason to smile as he claimed the
biggest cheque of the season in winning the Kazakhstan Open.

Benahavis Senior Masters 2011

Benahavis Senior Masters played at La Quinta golf and Country Club starts today.

The weather forecast is superb with temperatures in the mid 70's, so scoring should be low.

Australia's Peter Fowler practices at dawn

La Quinta's scenic 8th hole, Par 3

England's Barry Lane in action on the 10th tee in the Pro-Am

La Quinta's new 11th hole, Par 3 designed by Manuel Pinero, the
resident professional, former Ryder Cup player and winner of many
European Tour events.

Straw sunhats available for spectators

Jerry Bruner of USA gets a few minutes
shut eye in the clubhouse after practice.

There's an interesting battle going on between Australian Peter Fowler and England's Barry lane with the Order of Merit up for grabs with one tournament left this season before the Tour Championship in Mauritius.

The 5th Portugal Masters 2011

A whole host of stars make the line up at this week's Portugal Masters in the Algarve.

Padraig Harrington, John Daly and Ross Fisher, Martin Kaymer and Colin Montgomerie to name but a few.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington  - 3 time Major winner

Alvaros Quiros (ESP) - on his way to winning the title in 2008

John Daly (USA) should be a large attraction

The ever popular Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) - a Ryder Cup stalwart

18th Green layout in 2008

England's Ross Fisher - World Cup and Ryder Cup player

Alvaro Quiros (ESP) leads the way to the 14th tee

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie putting on the 12th green
whilst a very noisy flock of migratory birds pass over..........
it did not disturb his concentration............funny that !

Former world No.1, Germany's Martin Kaymer in action

I can’t make it this year sadly as I’m off to Marbella on Senior Tour Duty at the Benahavis Senior Masters.