Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Rory McIlroy overcame a thrilling final-round battle with rival Patrick Reed to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in a thrilling finish and start 2023 out on the right foot.
The world No. 1 entered the final round of the Rolex Series competition at Emirates Golf Club with a three-shot lead, but LIV Golf member Reed, with whom McIlroy had a pre-tournament argument, jumped ahead with an eagle and five birdies in his first 13 holes.
McIlroy had three birdies in a five-hole stretch starting at the ninth hole, but he bogeyed the next hole, and Reed’s missed putt at the ensuing par-four presented the prospect of a tantalising play-off between the two.
The clubhouse target was set at 18 under par by Reed, who was in the group ahead of the Northern Irishman, who birdied the par-five 18th to end with a seven-under 65. However, McIlroy produced a birdie-birdie finish to finish with a final-round 68 and snare a one-shot victory.
In addition to joining Ernie Els as a three-time winner of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy’s victory makes it the first time in his career that he has won his opening start of a calendar year. His most recent victory has also increased his lead at the top of the world rankings.
How McIlroy won the thriller in Dubai?
Reed followed a birdie at the second hole by rolling in from 20 feet at the following par-five to get within two, while McIlroy opened with three two-putt pars. McIlroy then scrambled to avoid dropping a stroke at the par-three fourth after narrowly hitting water off the tee.
The American fell one behind McIlroy, who got up and down from the sand on the same par-four to continue his bogey-free start, after missing a golden opportunity from half the distance at the next hole but holed out from a greenside bunker at the sixth.
When Reed saved par at the ninth hole from 10 feet and kept his score at 14 under, he clenched his fist in joy as McIlroy doubled his lead by ending his front nine with an eight-foot birdie.
When Reed nearly hit his spectacular approach shot into the par-five 10th hole to set up a tap-in eagle, McIlroy responded with a two-putt birdie to move back in front of him. However, Reed answered by making a six-foot birdie at the following hole to tie them up at the top of the leaderboard.
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