Rafael Cabrera-Bello qualifies for Match Play event at Doral as Phil Mickelson heads for a vacation
Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner, Rafael Cabrera-Bello has now made it into the 64-man WGC Accenture Match Play Championship. He will be heading to Tucson, Arizona, in an attempt to continue with his newly gained form and land the coveted title.
Last year’s winner, world number one, Luke Donald will be returning to defend his title in the Knock-out format.
Bello took over the grizzled field at the star-studded event in Dubai, to reaffirm the commitment and the strong penchant of the Spaniards for the windy Middle Eastern courses.
Bello shot a blistering nine-under, 63 on the first day to start off his bid for the title and forged his way ahead to finally land the title on Sunday.
He was challenged by the likes of world number two Lee Westwood, who was also the overnight leader on the final day.
Bello shot a four-under, 68 to win the title by one stroke over Westwood and Stephen Gallacher.
Top-ranked players will be flying down the Arizona Desert to start off the Accenture Match Play event on the scenic Doral.
The field will constitute of the former world number one Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods, alongside the rampaging Rory McIlory and Westwood.
Bello said, "This was the quality jump I was looking for in my game and it's offered me the opportunity to play with the world's best players. It’s an unbelievable feeling and it’s been a really spectacular week for me".
Bello managed to surge to a stunning 60th on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) from a low of 119th.
This was Bello’s second European Tour victory after his 2009 win at the Austrian Open.
The 27-year-old Spaniard is hoping to break into the top-50 in order to qualify for the Masters this year.
Meanwhile, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Phil Mickelson has decided to head for another vacation with his family and has declined to be part of the field at the event.
Mickelson has never been much of a success in the Knock-out format and revealed that he will be utilising the kid’s holidays to barge on yet another vacation.
Mickelson said, "I love the tournament, but all of our kids are out of school that week and it's a perfect time to go on vacation".
Mickelson won his 40th PGA Tour title to become only the ninth man in the history to do so.
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