ABU DHABI: German golfer Martin Kaymer leapfrogged Tiger Woods to become the world No. 2 when he stormed his way to an eight-shot victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship Sunday. Kaymer, 26, relegated Woods to world No. 3 when he successfully defended his Abu Dhabi title and captured the event for a third time in four years. The German began the final round at 18-under par, five strokes clear of nearest rival Rory McIlroy, and carded a closing-round 66 for a 24-under-par victory tally. The win was Kaymer's ninth on the European Tour and the European No. 1 has now won four of his last eight events since the 2010 US PGA Championship, earning 2.4 million euros in prize money. “To be in front of him (Woods) for a little bit, we'll see how long it takes him to overtake me again, but you know, it makes me very proud to be better in the world rankings than, for me, the best player in the world,” Kaymer said. Briton Rory McIlroy (69) was second on 16 under par with the US Open-winning pair of Retief Goosen of South Africa (64) and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (67) sharing third place on 14-under par. Vegas, Woodland on top PGA Tour rookie Jhonattan Vegas overcame an erratic start with a sizzling finish to retain a share of the lead after the fourth round of the Bob Hope Classic in California Saturday. Venezuelan Vegas, joint pacesetter overnight with American Gary Woodland, birdied his last five holes for a six-under-par 66 at La Quinta Country Club, one of four venues hosting the five-round pro-am celebrity event. The happy-go-lucky 26-year-old from Maturin rolled in an 18-foot putt on his final hole, the par-four ninth, to draw level with Woodland at the top on 24-under 264. Long-hitting Woodland, like Vegas bidding for his maiden PGA Tour title, fired a matching 66 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West, which will host Sunday's final round. Britain's Martin Laird carded a 66 on the Nicklaus layout, to finish at 22 under, a stroke in front of defending champion Bill Haas (62), Chris Kirk (66), Daniel Summerhays (64) and Keegan Bradley (66).
