A piece of history for Rory McIlroy in Dubai. A mere 82 days will pass between the last putt dropping in for a record fourth Desert Classic success and his latest tilt at etching his name into golfing folklore at Augusta National.
When McIlroy starts the year in this form, it is impossible not to let thoughts drift towards the Masters. Victory there would make him just the sixth man in history to claim a career grand slam. McIlroy had to scrap for this win, which had looked improbable as he sat 10 from the lead after 36 holes.
“Augusta is still a long way away in golfing terms, a lot can change in two‑and-a-half months,” McIlroy said. “But it’s always nice to get a win. It’s always nice to feel like you’re playing well going into it. I’ve always said that I’ll take execution over preparation every single time because you just have to execute the golf shots, especially there.
“But last year at Augusta, I learnt a lot about myself. I’ve told this story numerous times now about the 1st green on Friday and I was already 10 behind at that point. I was 10 behind after two days this week and ended up winning the golf tournament. I feel like I’ve taken that learning and put it into practise a little bit already. That’s a huge thing for me.”
On a gruelling final day at the Emirates Club, McIlroy caught the overnight leader, Cameron Young, after just four holes. Birdies at the 8th and 9th placed McIlroy in the ascendancy; he was four clear after 12. A wobble followed. McIlroy pulled his drive at the 13th into trouble, triggering a bogey six. Birdies at the 13th and 14th meant Adrian Meronk was within one. The Pole bogeyed the 16th to gift McIlroy a two‑shot leeway but a Meronk birdie at the last gave the defending champion no room for error. The 34‑year‑old McIlroy was composed in playing the 72nd hole in par five to claim a one-shot victory.
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
His Sunday work involved 70 shots. McIlroy surpasses Ernie Els, who had been the only other three‑time Desert Classic champion. McIlroy is golf’s desert prince; this is his sixth professional win in Dubai. It also comes in just his third start since the Ryder Cup last year. In the second, he was runner-up to Tommy Fleetwood.
“I have enough people around me to keep me accountable,” McIlroy said. “I think that’s really, really important. Whether that’s [coach] Michael Bannon coming out and us working on some stuff; whether that’s like the odd text from Harry [Diamond, his caddie] during the course of an off‑week; doing some work with [putting coach] Brad Faxon at home in Florida, doing work with my trainer; having conversations with Bob Rotella.
“I feel like if I’m not trying my best I’m letting them down. If they are putting 100% of their effort into it, then I feel like I should at least give them the respect to put 100% of my effort in as well.”
Young finished third, two shy of McIlroy’s 14 under par aggregate, after slipping to a 74. Aaron Cockerill, Joaquin Niemann and Pablo Larrazabal closed on minus 10.
