Rory McIlroy defeat Patrick Reed to win Dubai Desert Classic
The world number one birdied the final two holes to shoot a four-under 68 and finish on 19 under to win by one shot.
Northern Irishman McIlroy led the field by three shots overnight, but Reed (65) picked up six shots in his first 11 holes to wipe out that advantage.
McIlroy responded with three birdies and, after Reed birdied 18 to draw level, holed a 20-footer to win.
Heavy rain caused sufficient delays to force play into a fifth day in Dubai. And the ending could not have been better scripted for the DP World Tour, with McIlroy holding off LIV Golf's Reed on a first Monday finish in 35 years at the Emirates Golf Club's Majlis course.
"Mentally, it was very tough," McIlroy , referring to his rivalry with Reed. "I felt like I could have let my emotions get in the way of what I was trying to do because of who was up there on the leaderboard.
"I expended much mental energy just trying to focus on myself.
"I'm going to enjoy this. This is probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be."
It was the latest instalment of an ongoing rivalry that intensified earlier in the week when McIlroy ignored Reed on the driving range and the American responded by flicking a LIV Golf tee in his direction.
McIlroy then explained why he had rejected Reed's attempt to strike up a conversation.
"I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve," said the 33-year-old, who has been called as a witness in Reed's defamation case against the PGA Tour among others.
0 Comment