Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy came through an enthralling final-round tussle with rival Patrick Reed to claim a dramatic victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and make a ...

Reed edged ahead for the first time with a kick-in birdie at the 13th, as McIlroy two-putted from 20 feet on the same par-five and then got up and down from a greenside bunker to save par at the next and remain at 18 under. Reed clenched his fist in celebration after holing from 10 feet to save par at the ninth and remain at 14 under, as McIlroy ended a run of pars and doubled his advantage by signing off his front nine with an eight-foot birdie. McIlroy opened with three two-putt pars and scrambled to avoid dropping a shot at the par-three fourth after narrowly finding water off the tee, as Reed followed a birdie at the second by rolling in from 20 feet at the par-five next to close within two.

Rory McIlroy held off a dramatic final-day surge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the third time on Monday.

The most satisfying thing is I haven’t had my best, far from it, and to be able to win when you don’t have your best, that’s the holy grail of what we are trying to do.” Somehow the fractured world of golf felt much a better place. I expended a lot of mental energy trying to focus on myself and focus on shooting a score and trying to reach a number.” Reed’s first dropped stroke of the day, at 16, restored parity before McIlroy landed what looked the major blow with a birdie at the penultimate hole. Last year, the 72nd hole of the Desert Classic cost McIlroy victory. “He looked through it and he identified it exactly the same way I did.” “I’ve looked through the binoculars, identified any golf ball and I explained what my markings were to the rules official” said the 2018 Masters champion. [correctly identified his ball in the branches of a palm tree](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/29/dp-world-tour-clarifies-rules-after-patrick-reed-penalty-drop-controversy) during round three. I’ve stood and defended Patrick in some of the controversies.” I want to win for my legacy and leaving my mark on the game. When McIlroy’s role as the unofficial voice of golf’s establishment against the rebel LIV tour, of which Reed is a part, is factored in it became easy to sense this meant more than a trophy. From Teegate to Treegate to a denouement that was well worth the wait.

Rory McIlroy fought off a sensational final-round charge from Patrick Reed when he birdied the last from 15 feet to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for ...

They avoided each other in the draw all week though McIlroy was standing on the tee behind when the American got a controversial drop on the 17th hole on Sunday. Reed would close with a birdie four for a 65 to draw level and set the target at 18-under, but 24 hours after finding water at the last and 12 months after another splashdown at the hole handed Viktor Hovland the title, McIlroy almost opened the door. But after finding himself a shot adrift of Reed, who played his first 15 holes in seven-under, with three holes to go, McIlroy found himself level when his rival bogeyed the 16th, then edged in front with a birdie at the 359-yard 17th.

Rory McIlroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense Monday duel between players who were involved in a ...

... A really good foundation for the year." Honestly it has been a battle all week," McIlroy said. "It was a battle all day. "I managed my game well, lots of room for improvements. 16 but made birdie at No. Reed bogeyed No.

Rory McIlroy made a 14-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the Dubai Desert Classic and avoid a playoff with nemesis Patrick Reed.

It was nice to be able to play the percentages and make it pay off." McIlroy placed his third shot to 14 feet and had that for the outright win. Using a putter, he lagged from 81 feet to 4 feet and converted the birdie to regain the top spot with one hole to play. McIlroy then laid up with his second shot, avoiding what happened a year ago when he hit his second into the water on No. Reed tied McIlroy at the top with a birdie on the par-5 18th and McIlroy – playing one group behind – matched him to finish at 19 under, one clear. The second time occurred when McIlroy bogeyed the par-3 15th to drop to minus-17, but Reed quickly responded with a bogey of his own at the 16th – to some noticeable applause from the gallery.

Rory McIlroy admitted the win meant more than it should have after he kept his emotions in check and birdied the 18th to hold off Patrick Reed at the Hero ...

But it's a it's a great start to the year.” But I just managed my game so well and played really smart. I definitely feel like there's tonnes of room for improvement. Honestly, it's been a battle all week. But I really only had one choice.” So yeah, it was a battle all day.

LIV golfer fired final round 65 to put pressure on Northern Irishman.

Ian Poulter is another who has made a move on Monday, up to -13, just two behind. Reed hits his iron from the rough on the ninth to just short and right of the green. McIlroy makes the birdie! Reed has hit a stunning wood into the 10th green, landing softly on the fringe and rolling up to the hole. Poor drive by McIlroy on 12 as he lets go of the club, but bounces off the rough into the fairway. Brilliant pitch by McIlroy to within two feet, saves his par on 12. Super shot by McIlroy from the sand. McIlroy is in the bunker. Herbert takes on the green at the 18th in two, bounces off the grandstand. A double bogey for Poulter at the last. McIlroy lays up short of the water. Reed watches on from the clubhouse.

World no.1 Rory McIlroy beat Patrick Reed in a thrilling battle down the stretch in Dubai to win in on his first start of the calendar year for the first ...

There is tons of room for improvement but it's a great start to the year." He later explained that his decision to blank his former Ryder Cup rival came after he was served with a court subpoena by the player's lawyer on Christmas Eve. But with the duo looking destined for a tantalising play-off, McIlroy held his nerve to hole a clutch 15ft birdie putt and win by one shot.

The final round in the Middle East was pushed back a day after rain interfered with play late last week.

But the Texas native did putt for a birdie to finish 18-under-par for the week before McIlroy left himself with a putt to win the tournament. The American then held his nerve to par the 17th before McIlroy sank a birdie putt on the same hole to take a one-shot lead into the final hole. McIlroy dropped a shot after narrowly missing a putt on the 15th hole, but Reed also dropped a shot on 16 to leave the pair level at the top of the leaderboard. But a final round of 68 just saw McIlroy edge out his rival in the Middle East as he sunk a huge putt on the final hole to clinch victory. The world number one narrowly avoided the water from his tee shot on the 18th as he watched Reed miss an eagle putt on the same hole. The Holywood native had a three-shot lead going into the final round after a late blunder on Sunday gave the chasing pack renewed hope of preventing his third win in the event.