Rory McIlroy edges Patrick Reed in tight Dubai duel

Rory McIlroy won the weather-delayed Dubai Desert Classic by a shot on Monday, defeating Patrick Reed in what turned into a thrilling duel at Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy, 7-2 favourite ante-post, was 4-11 going into round four, having built a three-shot lead. The Northern Irishman had a four-shot advantage over Reed, but the American raider, 25-1 with 18 holes to play, went seven under par through 13 to hit the front.

A ding-dong denouement followed, with McIlroy regaining a share of the lead with a birdie at 13, followed by a bogey at 15. Reed bogeyed 16 to drop back into a tie, then a par-birdie finish posted an 18-under-par clubhouse lead.

McIlroy hit a perfect drive at the short par-four 17th to set up a chip-and-putt birdie, so he needed a birdie at the par-five final hole to triumph, with a par meaning a playoff against Reed. The golfing gods were smiling on McIlroy when his drive at the last finished a foot short of going into the water lining the right side of the fairway.

From there, McIlroy laid up, then hit to 15 feet with his approach, before holing the putt for victory. This is the first time he has won on his first start of the year.

Max Homa was the 20-1 winner of the PGA Tour event – the Farmers Insurance Open – which finished on Saturday.

This week sees the Ras al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA Tour. Abu Dhabi Championship winner, Victor Perez, is among those going to post in Ras al Khaimah, while Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth are teeing up at Pebble Beach.

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