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
Reed with a birdie try at the par three... Ooh that’s rolled on by.
Par putt coming back, too easy, rock solid and he moves to the final three holes of the round, what will he be looking for? Does -20 do the job?
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Shinkwin a ball’s width from an eagle, but he’ll move to -13 with the shortest of birdie putts.
McIlroy now, an eagle try on 13, narrowly misses, but he’ll make birdie, and we’re tied up at -18.
Some scoring from Reed and McIlroy this.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
If McIlroy is to prevail today, his bombs off the tee in Dubai will play a big part.
One of the finest sights in the sport when you add in shot tracer...
Dubai Desert Classic final round
That’s a brilliant swing from McIlroy, one of the best today, heating up maybe?
Reed on 14, the drive bounces into the rough, the fairway proving tough to find for the American.
Poulter with a brilliant lag putt and will tap in to stay at -14 and a tie for third.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Reed with a horrid chip coming up, in the deep stuff on 13 as he bids to make birdie on this par five.
Can he grab a solo lead here by tucking it close to the pin?
It’s a runner and that is sensational, barely a couple inches, Reed will lead outright in a few minutes.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Brun with a birdie try on 15, a tap-in par, nicely done by the Frenchman, who remains solo fifth.
McIlroy on the 13th, bombs away!
554-yard par five cut down to size, 308-yard carry, majestic!
Dubai Desert Classic final round
McIlroy with a beauty from the thickest of greenside rough on 12.
Magic! He’ll save par from there surely. Still tied at the top.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Stenson with the low round of the day, -8 through 16, he’s five back, sensational final round though from the Swede, who looks to put a controversial end to 2022 after relinquishing the Ryder Cup captaincy.
Reed is -6 already though, so he could have the low round of the day and bag a win, we’ll find out in the coming hours.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
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