[ad_1]
Rory McIlroy gained his first Rolex Collection title with a 3rd victory on the Dubai Desert Basic after a dramatic ultimate day tussle with rival Patrick Reed at Emirates Golf Membership.
Though possessing a CV to rival the greats of the sport, together with 4 Main titles, 4 Harry Vardon trophies and three FedEx Cups to his title, he arrived within the UAE nonetheless lacking a triumph in one of many DP World Tour’s status Rolex Collection occasions. He put that proper in tremendous style on a Monday end over the Majlis Course, birdieing 17 and 18 to submit a closing 68 and end at 19 beneath, one away from American – and LIV Golf member – Patrick Reed, whom he had been sparring with all week on and off the course.
Reed’s 65 made for an exhilarating end because the duo went toe-to-toe over the again 9, however it was McIlroy who emerged the victor with an impressive front-running efficiency over the weekend in Dubai.
Australian Lucas Herbert – the 2020 winner of this occasion – completed third at 16 beneath, a shot away from England’s Callum Shinkwin and two forward of Frenchman Julien Brun. Belgian Thomas Pieters and England’s Ian Poulter have been at 13 beneath, one forward of Swedish pair Marcus Kinhult and Henrik Stenson, England’s Richard Bland, Spaniard Angel Hidalgo and American Johannes Veerman.
McIlroy, who punched the air with delight after sinking a 15-foot putt on the final to win the title, stated: “It’s been a reasonably draining week, However I’m ecstatic to get the win. It means loads, particularly as I haven’t gained one of many Rolex Collection occasions earlier than. It was a battle all day, it’s been a battle all week. I actually really feel like I haven’t had my greatest this week, however I simply managed my recreation so nicely and performed actually good. I really feel like I confirmed loads of psychological energy on the market in the present day, and that’s one thing to essentially construct on for the remainder of the 12 months.
Alluding to his rivalry with Reed, he added:”I’m going to get pleasure from this. That is in all probability sweeter than it ought to be, or must be, however it’s an incredible begin to the 12 months and a very good basis to work from. It’s by no means simple closing out a golf match. There’s at all times going to be those who make runs, and you already know, enjoying if you’re defending a lead or have a lead, you’re at all times going to play a bit of extra fastidiously than the blokes which might be developing behind you.
“Clearly I felt them closing in, and clearly on the again 9 when Patrick drew degree with me, I actually wanted to dig deep. I assumed I had blown my probability with the bogey on 15, however fortunately he bogeyed 16, after which I performed an incredible final couple of holes, nice tee shot on 17, good two-putt and received up-and-down on the final.
He added: “Mentally it was very robust in the present day. Like I felt like I may have let my feelings get in the way in which. I expended loads of psychological power in the present day making an attempt to give attention to myself and give attention to capturing a rating and making an attempt to succeed in a quantity. I set myself a goal of 20-under at the beginning of the day. That clearly would have been adequate. However I managed my recreation nicely and having the ability to putt it in good spots and get up-and-down after I wanted to.”
Victory in Dubai takes McIlroy’s tally of DP World Tour wins to fifteen on the scene of his first, which got here 13 years in the past. The 33-year-old additionally surpasses his countryman and fellow Main winner Darren Clarke to turn into the participant from Northern Eire with essentially the most DP World Tour victories. McIlroy additionally joins Ernie Els as a three-time winner at Emirates Golf Membership and extends his exceptional run of kind which noticed him document 9 high tens in ten occasions final season, with a worst end of twelfth en path to being topped Europe’s no.1.
To take a look at the ultimate leaderboard, click on here.
[ad_2]
Source link
