RORY McILROY PRODUCED a final-round surge in the Dubai Desert Classic but still just short of a dramatic victory.
The Holywood native finished in a tie for fourth place on 12-under par after fine six-under display. Tom McKibbin was one shot adrift on 11-under.
Tyrrell Hatton was the outright winner on 15-under while Daniel Hillier was second just one shot adrift.
McIlroy made a bad start with a bogey five on the par-four second before responding immediately with a birdie on the third, and then another on the par-three seventh.
Three more birdies from the first four holes after the turn gave him real momentum for the finish and one more followed on the 16th before a final flourish on the 18th.
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It wasn’t enough to retain his crown, though.
McIlroy said he was delighted with the way he played over the weekend in his first start of the year.
“I probably just left myself a bit too much to do after three days. I had chances, and I was burning the edges,” said McIlroy.
“Felt like I putted pretty well without anything going in and then today, didn’t really feel like I played that differently the way I played the last few days.
“I just holed a couple of putts and made a couple of good ups-and-down when I had to. I feel like I got progressively better as the week went on, which bodes well for obviously the next few weeks.”
Hatton held his nerve to clinch the title on the final hole from Hillier.
The pair walked up to the 18th tee with Hatton leading by two shots, but the pressure was on when New Zealander Hillier sunk a birdie putt.
Hatton was up to the challenge, making a seven-footer to secure his eighth European tour title by two shots and lift him top of the Race To Dubai rankings.
“A dream come true,” smiled Hatton who equalled Jon Rahm’s record of five Rolex Series wins.
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Rory McIlroy's late surge not enough for dramatic victory in Dubai
RORY McILROY PRODUCED a final-round surge in the Dubai Desert Classic but still just short of a dramatic victory.
The Holywood native finished in a tie for fourth place on 12-under par after fine six-under display. Tom McKibbin was one shot adrift on 11-under.
Tyrrell Hatton was the outright winner on 15-under while Daniel Hillier was second just one shot adrift.
McIlroy made a bad start with a bogey five on the par-four second before responding immediately with a birdie on the third, and then another on the par-three seventh.
Three more birdies from the first four holes after the turn gave him real momentum for the finish and one more followed on the 16th before a final flourish on the 18th.
It wasn’t enough to retain his crown, though.
McIlroy said he was delighted with the way he played over the weekend in his first start of the year.
“I probably just left myself a bit too much to do after three days. I had chances, and I was burning the edges,” said McIlroy.
“Felt like I putted pretty well without anything going in and then today, didn’t really feel like I played that differently the way I played the last few days.
“I just holed a couple of putts and made a couple of good ups-and-down when I had to. I feel like I got progressively better as the week went on, which bodes well for obviously the next few weeks.”
Hatton held his nerve to clinch the title on the final hole from Hillier.
The pair walked up to the 18th tee with Hatton leading by two shots, but the pressure was on when New Zealander Hillier sunk a birdie putt.
Hatton was up to the challenge, making a seven-footer to secure his eighth European tour title by two shots and lift him top of the Race To Dubai rankings.
“A dream come true,” smiled Hatton who equalled Jon Rahm’s record of five Rolex Series wins.
He had started the day one behind Hillier.
Additional reporting by – © AFP 2025
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Dubai Desert Classic Golf Rory McIlroy