As rookie of the year Martin Kaymer held his nerve to claim his maiden European Tour win at the Abu Dhabi Championship four Irishmen finished inside the top 20.
Despite closing with a final round 74 for a 15-under 273
aggregate, the 23-year-old German still won by four shots from
Ryder Cup pair, Lee Westwood (70) from England and Sweden's Henrik
Stenson (71).
Kaymer began the day with a six-stroke lead over England's
Anthony Wall, but Westwood always had the leader in his sights. The
Worksop golfer had a chance to move within one stroke with six
holes to play, but his putter was cold on the final day when he
needed it most.
England's Richard Finch, Spain's Ignacio Garrido and Sweden's Peter Hedblom finished tied fourth on 10-under par.
Paul McGinley was best- placed of the six Irishmen who made the cut. The Dubliner closed with a final 71 to tie for ninth on eight under.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy both carded 68s to finish a shot behind McGinley in a tie for 11th. Peter Lawrie was a shot further back on six-under after his 69.
There was disappointment for Damien McGrane (75) and Darren Clarke (73) who both finished well down the field on two and three over respectively.