Bjorn rolls back the years to claim Qatar title while big guns struggle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Twelve days away from his 40th birthday Denmark's Thomas Bjorn is a winner again on the European Tour – and back in the big league now. Ranked only 134th in the world, Bjorn captured the Qatar Masters by a commanding four strokes from Spaniard Alvaro Quiros yesterday.
The 11th Tour victory of his career should put the former Ryder Cup star, who was as high as 10th on the rankings a decade ago, into the elite 64-man field for the World Match Play Championship in Arizona later this month.
And it is a huge boost to his hopes of earning a place in this July's Open on the same Sandwich course where he blew a three-shot lead over the closing stretch in 2003. Bjorn, twice a Ryder Cup vice-captain and current chairman of the Tour's tournament committee, was thrilled to show he still has what it takes on the course.
"It's a big win and hopefully it can push me onto bigger things," he said after signing for a closing 69 and 14-under-par total of 274. "When I play like this I know I can play against the best."
While world No 1 Lee Westwood missed the cut and number two Martin Kaymer came only 28th – he needed a top-two finish to dethrone Westwood – Bjorn did not have a single bogey in his last 47 holes.
Big-hitting Quiros, first and second in the event the past two years, made a back-nine charge and closed the gap to one as Bjorn reeled off 14 pars in a row in the windy conditions. But, after Quiros three-putted the 470-yard 15th, Bjorn, armed with a new driver that gave him an extra 10 yards, hit a brilliant approach there to within four feet of the flag and then added further birdies on the driveable 16th and par-five 18th.
"I knew if I stuck to my game plan I would be all right. We're fortunate as golfers that we can keep going at the highest level at this age. I've worked hard."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments