It's 72 holes - not 63

Four strokes and a stunning front nine had the appearance of a runaway win for Paul Casey in Abu Dhabi. Ahead by four starting the final round, he extended that lead by recording five birdies in ten holes. The beauty of tournament golf however is that championships are 72 holes, not 63. The old adage that tournaments begin on the back nine of the final round was certainly the case for Casey.

A remarkable weekend run of 14 birdies in 28 holes suggested that he was in total control but suddenly with just eight to play he stumbled with three bogeys in four holes. The wobbles were shaken off but the chasers were in with a look.

Oosthuizen’s 64 meant that Casey still had to hit the fairway at the par 5 18th (he missed it left in the rough) and had to lay up within a menacingly narrow spot for his pitch into the green. Kaymer’s fabulous eagle putt also meant that Casey needed to two-putt from about 18 feet to avoid a three man play off. He didn’t get it to the hole but it was close enough that he didn’t have to sweat.

While too far back with the final round still to be played, the class of Harrington and Garcia was evident, the latter’s putting stroke causing him much frustration in rounds one and two. It will be no surprise to see either player pick up a European Tour win before they head to the PGA Tour’s Florida swing.