European Tour journeyman, Robert Rock held off one of the strongest fields assembled in golf this week to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The Englishman started the day in a tie for the 54-hole lead at 11 under par. Rock wearing custom FJ ICON MyJoys, made early birdies on the second, third, and sixth holes to take control of the tournament.
He would then drop shots on the eighth and thirteenth giving his pursuers, including Rory McIlroy a chance to over take the lead. Rock would bounce back hitting brilliant iron shots on the fourteenth and sixteenth setting up birdies to give him a two stroke lead heading into the last.
Missing his tee shot into a hazard right on the 72nd hole, Rock with the lead, gave up much distance to drop in the fairway to give himself a better shot at making a bogey and taking home the trophy. He did just that hitting his third shot just short of the green, he then pitched on, and two putted for the one shot victory over the ultra talented Rory McIlroy.
This is Rock's second European Tour victory and by far the larger of the two. The win moves Rock into the top 60 on the official world golf rankings and earns him an invitation to the WGC Bridgestone Invitational along with the WGC - HSBC Champions.
Very good last round for Rock and Rory, so 2 FJ players on the first two places. Congrats them and FJ.
Big win for The Rock! Keeping the streak alive.
Great win for Rock. Nice to see FJ continue the winning ways.
Congrats to The Rock. Way to win.
Go Team FootJoy!
Congratulations on making the top 60 and for your golf event invitation!
When does The Rockster lose his 'journeyman' handle, Devin? He's already won two more tourneys than Rickie Fowler.....
Jamie - I would say after the next win took him a while to get the first. He has all the tools to be a star, great understanding of the swing, a smooth swagger, the hair, all in all more people are going to start noticing "Rocky" on the world stage.
FJ is Rock - in & Rory - in ! Way to go !!!!
That was a great victory. There were some talented players in that tournament - congratulations are in order.
It's the hair.
