The European Tour’s Middle East campaign ended in truly classic fashion in Dubai.

What a finish there was at the Emirates course as veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez edged our own Lee Westwood at the third extra hole just before darkness descended on the desert. Miguel deserved his place in the play-off and perhaps the writing was in the sand for Lee when the Spaniard twice fashioned pars on the first two play-off holes when bogeys looked more likely.  But that’s golf. No disgrace in finishing runner-up as Lee continued his remarkable run of consistency.   He’s just never off the leader board these days and long may it continue.

There was a sterling defence from Rory McIlroy, who also continued in solid vein.  I have no doubt whatsoever that the second win Rory craves so much is not many shots away. Rory had an aching back checked out when he returned from Dubai and thankfully it was just a minor nerve impingement which had caused him a little bit of discomfort.    It’s a condition he has had for a while and needs monitoring, but he takes good care of his body and there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

He’ll be heading for another desert next week when the Accenture WGC Match Play takes place in Tucson... and he won’t be short of familiar company.   It’s a powerful ISM contingent on patrol with Lee and Rory being joined by Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Simon Dyson, Jeev Milkha Singh, Chris Wood and potentially Ross McGowan, if Tiger Woods elects not to take a place.

This is an event we haven’t had a great deal of success in since Darren Clarke won it a decade ago, but I have a feeling it’s time for change again in America.

Ernie has had a promising start to the season and I’m sure he will be looking for big things again.