Alvaro Quiros tracing his way into Ryder Cup team with a win at Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Defending champion Alvaro Quiros returns to his favourite hunting ground, the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, for the latest episode of Omega Dubai Desert Classic to retain the title he won last year.
Quiros has an amazing penchant for the Dubai event and has won the last event with a blistering final round of 68, one stroke better than the nearest contenders, Anders Hansen and James Kingston.
However, his attempts to land the title yet again have an altogether different motive. The sturdy Spaniard is eyeing a place in this year’s Ryder Cup through the points-based system.
He said, “Obviously it's a Ryder Cup year - qualifying for The Ryder Cup Team is the most important thing, I would say. There's not only one thing in my mind, the most important thing is to keep improving”.
Quiros won twice last year, both in Dubai and wants to utilise his stunning liking for the Middle Eastern turf to negotiate a place in Jose Maria Olazabal’s team in October.
He will be pitched in tough battle as many of the players on the European Tour have won twice or even thrice last year, making it all the more difficult for the 29-year-old to qualify.
He added, “We were talking yesterday about it at dinner, the memories that I have on my mind about The Ryder Cup - Olazábal dancing in his first Ryder Cup, and unfortunately the one that I have is Justin Leonard jumping in the line of Olazábal. But these are the memories that I have”.
Quiros pulled in a glistening eagle at the 11th last year to forge his way up the leaderboard, finally landing the first title of the season.
He also lauded the commendable participation of the Spanish golfers in consecutive Ryder Cup events, including the late Seve Ballesteros who also led the European entourage on one occasion.
He hoped to be part of the European Team this year at Medinah County Chicago, dressed in blue.
Quiros started off the season on a slow note and wants to build up the momentum this week before the European Tour finally moves on to continental Europe following its hectic calendar.
Winner of seven professional events in his career, Quiros has been part of the European Tour field since 2007 after he won his tour card through the qualifying school.
Known for his long drives off the tee, Quiros remained the longest hitter on the tour for consecutive years in 2006, 2007 and 2008, covering a staggering 310 yards on the average.
Quiros won his first European Tour event last year in Dubai and went over to card his second victory of the year at Dubai World Championship in December.
He has also represented continental Europe in Seve Trophy and is one of the renowned golfers to have come out of Spain.
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