Olazabal Healthy Enough to Shoot 68 for Dubai Win

Weakened by flu, unable to eat solid food and facing swirling desert sand, Jose Maria Olazabal left Dubai a winner.

He came from three strokes behind Sunday, shooting a four-under-par 68 to finish at 19-under 269, three shots better than the field in the Dubai Desert Classic.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said Olazabal, who won the tournament for the second year in a row. “I’m shocked because of what I have done. I felt bad, really bad, and the first two days were obviously the worst. Every single muscle ached.

“I haven’t been able to eat any solids since Wednesday and survived on yogurt, fruit juices and tea.”

After considering dropping out on Friday, Olazabal started the tournament’s final day three behind leader Robert Karlsson.

Instead, he earned a first prize of $221,000 when Karlsson shot 75, finishing behind Australia’s Stephen Allan, whose 68 moved him to a 272 aggregate.