Rory McIlroy has prevailed in a nail-biting finish over Patrick Reed — the man he “prefers not to acknowledge” after a spat between the two — in the rain-delayed $9 million Dubai Desert Classic.
It was the first time McIlroy has won the first start of his new season and is his 15th DP World Tour victory in 231 starts. It was also his third Dubai Desert Classic victory in 13 appearances.
He will remain world number one after Spaniard Jon Rahm failed to win the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour.
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“It was a battle all day. Honestly it’s been a battle all week,” McIlroy said after his win.
“I feel like I haven’t been at my best all week, but I just managed my game so well (on Monday) and played really smart.
“I definitely feel like there’s tons of room for improvement, but it’s a great start to the year.”
McIlroy and Reed went into the tournament after a row when Reed reportedly threw a tee towards McIlroy on the practice range in Dubai.
The two have been at odds since McIlroy criticised players, including Reed, who joined the rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.
McIlroy, who lost this tournament last year on the final hole when his second shot found the water and he ended up making a bogey, had fallen behind Reed after a bogey on the 15th hole.
However, the Northern Irishman made amends with birdies on the 17th and 18th in a round of four-under par 68.
Asked by Inci Mehmet if the fact Reed being in the chasing pack spurred him on, McIlroy said: “I think mentally was one of the toughest rounds I’ve ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way.
“I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself, forget who was up there on the leaderboard and I did that really well.
“I feel like I showed a lot of mental strength out there today. It’s something to really build on for the rest of the year.”
McIlroy finished on 19-under par, while Reed, starting the day four shots behind the Northern Irishman, made a crucial bogey on the 16th and a par on the drivable par-4 17th hole in his round of 65.
Australian Lucas Herbert, champion in 2019, closed with a six-under par 66 to take solo third place at 16-under par 272.
England’s Callum Shinkwin, who started with three bogies in his first six holes playing in the lead group with McIlroy, made six birdies after that to shoot a 69 and take solo fourth place at 273.
The DP World Tour stays in the UAE for a fourth consecutive week and will head to the northern emirate of Ras al Khaimah this week for the $2 million RAK Championship.
