Rory McIlroy beats Patrick Reed to win Dubai Desert Classic title in thrilling final round leaderboard
Rory McIlroy birdied the final two holes to pip Patrick Reed by a single stroke on the final day to take the trophy
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 pre-tournament spat.
The top-ranked McIlroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet at the 18th for a four-under round of 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65. McIlroy captured the title for the third time and has started a year with a win for the first time in his career.
The Northern Irishman started the round with a three-shot lead — and four ahead of Reed — but was overtaken on the back nine by the American, who picked up seven shots in his first 13 holes. Reed bogeyed the 16th but made birdie at 18 to put pressure on McIlroy, who finished on 19-under overall.
The pair had traded verbal blows on Wednesday after an interaction — of sorts — at the practice range Tuesday that saw McIlroy snub Reed. Reed walked away before tossing a tee — featuring a logo of his 4 Aces team in the LIV Golf league — in the direction of McIlroy, one of the most vocal critics of the Saudi-run breakaway series. Reed said it was “unfortunate” that McIlroy didn’t shake his hand and was quoted as describing McIlroy as “an immature little child.”
Relive a thrilling final day as McIlroy clinched victory at the Dubai Desert Classic:
Dubai Desert Classic final round
HUGE! Reed lines up his par putt and rolls it in the middle of the hole. That could be massive. He’s still tied for the lead heading to 18. But McIlroy is about to play the reachable par-four 17th...
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Poulter with a horrid drive on 18, it’s on the desert, layup coming...
Rory makes par on 16, stays tied on -17, two holes to go.
That’s about 6/10 for Reed with the chip, tough par putt coming.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Uphill for Rory, from 20 feet...
A birdie chance but that’s a simple par, he could well be in the lead on the 17th, at least once he reaches the tee box, given he will go for the green perhaps.
Reed chunks that out, it races over the other side of the green, up and down for par then, realistically.
Does McIlroy step on the throttle? Or wait to see Reed finish up.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Reed attempting to cut the corner on 17, the 343-yard par four... It’s going right and lands on the sand it seems. Tough break.
Short-sided and up against the bush, this will need his very best.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Lucas Herbert is in the clubhouse on -16!
Remarkable from the Australian, a winner here three years ago. Surely Reed and McIlroy won’t both fall back.
Sensible from McIlroy, 143 yards out and he puts it to 20 feet on 16, a chance, if only an outside one, to seize the lead with two to play.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
McIlroy with a perfect drive, it’s massive, on the fairway and a chance to target the pin and reclaim a share of the lead from this position.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Poulter is -14 and on 17, looking for a couple more coming in, but that one doesn’t skip back, it’s over the back just.
Reed with a majestic pitch into 16, controlled to within six to eight feet, a lovely look for par and to retain the lead heading to 17.
Shinkwin, -13 and sixth, with a huge drive, on the fairway too.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Reed with a hack-out on 16 into the fairway, a reprieve for Rory?
McIlroy will hope to capitalise and send a huge drive down 16.
A possible two-shot swing coming, from one behind to one ahead maybe? But Reed’s short game is tidy and he’ll back himself from 133 yards here.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Huge moment coming up on 15 for McIlroy, par putt, to stay in the lead...
A long hard look, McIlroy bides his time, a must to retain momentum, but it’s just off the fringe, so tough.
Delicately drifts down but slides by, BOGEY! Reed leads with three holes remaining. Incredible.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
McIlroy to this tricky par three then...
But first Shinkwin, who is playing for big dough now. 198 yards, pitched just on and rolls to five feet. Magic.
Can Rory follow him in? The release is perfect if you land it just on the fringe.
That’s overcooked, in the thick stuff, *some* green to work with, but he’ll need to fight for par here.
Reed has the edge on the 18th vs McIlroy this week, the American is -3 this week, while the Northern Irishman is just PAR.
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