DUBAI – Rory McIlroy 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 US$9 million (S$11.8 million) Dubai Desert Classic on Monday.
“I think mentally today was probably one of the toughest rounds I’ve ever had to play,” the four-time Major winner said immediately after his victory. “It would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way.
“I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself and forget who was up there (Reed) on the leaderboard, and I did that really, really well. I feel like I showed a lot of mental strength out there today.
“I’m going to enjoy this. This is probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be, but I feel like I’ve still got some stuff to work on. You know, as I said, it’s a great start to the year and a really good foundation to work from.”
It was the first time the 33-year-old has won the first start of his new season. It was also his third Dubai Desert Classic victory in 13 appearances and gave him his 15th DP World Tour win in 231 starts.
He will remain world No. 1, after Spaniard Jon Rahm failed to win the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour on Saturday.
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 a year ago 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 68.
McIlroy finished on 19-under 269, while Reed, starting the day four shots behind him, made a crucial bogey on the 16th and a par on the driveable par-four 17th hole in his round of 65.
Australian Lucas Herbert, champion in 2020, closed with a 66 to take solo third place on 272.
England’s Callum Shinkwin, who started with three bogeys 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 United Arab Emirates for a fourth consecutive week and will head to the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah for Thursday’s US$2 million RAK Championship.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf’s 2023 schedule will have 14 events set to be played in seven countries with US$405 million in prize purses, the breakaway tour announced on Monday, doubling the number of events from its inaugural season.
The season begins with a Feb 24-26 event in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and ends with the team championship in the first week of November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Other events will take place in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom. The 2022 season had events in London, Portland, Bedminster, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok and Jeddah.
“Last year helped lay the foundation for the future of golf at extraordinary courses that have hosted some of the world’s top competitions,” LIV Golf chief executive officer and commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement.
“LIV Golf’s schedule features fantastic venues and championship sites for our official league launch that will carry the sport into a new era.”
Earlier in January, LIV Golf secured the United States television rights deal it was seeking with the CW Network, which will broadcast all 14 events of the Saudi-backed series. AFP, REUTERS
