Rory McIlroy earns new record with successful Dubai Desert Classic title defence
Rory McIlroy comes from 10 shots off the pace heading into the weekend to win the Dubai Desert Classic for a record fourth time.
Rory McIlroy has become the first man in the 35-year history of the Dubai Desert Classic to win it four times following a successful title defence at Emirates Golf Club.
McIlroy, 34, overcame a 10-stroke deficit heading into the weekend, but he admitted after the tournament he always knew he still had a chance.
Scroll down for his comments...
The World No.2 fired a blistering 63 on Saturday to move within two strokes of 54-hole leader Cameron Young.
He then drained three birdies on the front nine in the final round to assume complete control of the tournament.
Despite making pars from 10 to 12, McIlroy had moved serenely into a four-stroke lead with six holes to play as those around him were dropping shots.
McIlroy came unstuck on the par-5 13th following an errant drive and it led to his only bogey of the weekend.
DP World Tour Player of the Year Adrian Meronk emerged from the pack to give McIlroy most to think about following birdies on 13 and 14, but a bogey at 16 from the giant Pole all-but handed the title to the Northern Irishman.
Meronk birdied the last to pull within a shot of McIlroy but the Ulsterman had the comfort of just making a par down the par-5 18th, which he duly did.
McIlroy signed for a solid 2-under 70 to finish the week on 14-under par.
He becomes the first four-time winner of the Dubai Desert Classic and the first man to defend the title since Scotland's Stephen Gallacher in 2014.
Ernie Els previously shared the record with McIlroy on three wins.
Back-to-back Hero Dubai Desert Classic titles for Rory #DubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/LhD8Pn10ez
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 21, 2024
Despite finding himself 10 shots off the 36-hole lead on Friday night, McIlroy revealed after his round he was always still in the hunt for the title.
McIlroy said he wanted to shoot 10-under par over the weekend, and he went one better than that, which ultimately proved decisive.
2009. 2015. 2023. 2024. #DubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/x1BBfy0cWv
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 21, 2024
"I thought the way the golf course was trending, I thought two 67s would really have a chance," McIlroy told Sky Sports.
"You know, obviously the 63 yesterday put me in a great position.
"But yeah, I thought on Friday night, I thought 10-under for the weekend, I would have a really good chance to win. I shot 11, and ended up winning by one.
"I've played the game long enough to sort of know how these things are going to go.
"Thankfully I played the golf I needed to and just incredible to get my fourth win here at the Emirates."
Overnight leader Cameron Young had a final round to forget with a 2-over 74 to finish two back of McIlroy on 12-under par.
Dubai Desert Classic Final Leaderboard
-14 R McIlroy (NI)
-13 A Meronk (Pol)
-12 C Young (US)
