Rory McIlroy beats Patrick Reed to win Dubai Desert Classic title in thrilling final round leaderboard

Rory McIlroy birdied the final two holes to pip Patrick Reed by a single stroke on the final day to take the trophy

Watch: Rory Mcllroy reacts to question about Patrick Reed feud

Rory McIlroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense Monday duel between players who were involved in a pre-tournament spat.

The top-ranked McIlroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet at the 18th for a four-under round of 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65. McIlroy captured the title for the third time and has started a year with a win for the first time in his career.

The Northern Irishman started the round with a three-shot lead — and four ahead of Reed — but was overtaken on the back nine by the American, who picked up seven shots in his first 13 holes. Reed bogeyed the 16th but made birdie at 18 to put pressure on McIlroy, who finished on 19-under overall.

The pair had traded verbal blows on Wednesday after an interaction — of sorts — at the practice range Tuesday that saw McIlroy snub Reed. Reed walked away before tossing a tee — featuring a logo of his 4 Aces team in the LIV Golf league — in the direction of McIlroy, one of the most vocal critics of the Saudi-run breakaway series. Reed said it was “unfortunate” that McIlroy didn’t shake his hand and was quoted as describing McIlroy as “an immature little child.”

Relive a thrilling final day as McIlroy clinched victory at the Dubai Desert Classic:

Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard

• Rory McIlroy birdies the final two holes to beat Patrick Reed by a single shot at the Dubai Desert Classic
• “It’s probably sweeter than it should be”, says McIlroy of beating Reed amid golf’s civil war after their ‘Teegate’ row
• Rory McIlroy’s sweetest victory showcases golf’s theatre
• -19: Rory McIlroy
• -18: Patrick Reed
• -16: Lucas Herbert
• -15: Callum Shinkwin
• -14: Julien Brun

[30 January 2023 12:26 · Luke Baker]

Rory McIlroy’s sweetest victory showcases golf’s theatre

As Rory McIlroy clamped down on his bottom lip, his little white ball hurtling towards the water, a gasp could be heard around the Dubai desert. The rough acted as a bumper to ensure a “lucky” McIlroy, haunted by last year’s splash on the 18th hole, would eventually escape with victory over rival Patrick Reed despite flirting with danger once more.

This most absorbing of final rounds on the DP World Tour underlined that magnetic force that binds McIlroy and gripping drama. A three-shot lead whittled down by Reed added a fascinating narrative following ‘teegate’. But the shaky edge to a 15th victory on the European circuit, his third at this particular event, while denying Reed, only gave him more pleasure.

Read Jack Rathborn’s full report from a thrilling day in Dubai:

[30 January 2023 11:18 · Luke Baker]

Rory McIlroy basks in ‘sweet’ victory over teegate rival Patrick Reed

Rory McIlroy described his final round at the Dubai Desert Classic as one of his “toughest days” after holding off Patrick Reed to claim victory.

McIlroy and Reed had clashed throughout the weekend in the United Arab Emirates as tensions continued to flare between PGA Tour players and those that have joined the breakaway LIV Golf series.

Reed responded to being snubbed by McIlroy by flicking a tee at the Northern Irishman and later described the four-time major champion’s behaviour as being akin to that of “an immature little child”.

On the course, however, each player was in good touch, with McIlroy surging into a three-stroke lead ahead of the final round after an excellent 65.

And though Reed finished strongly on Monday in Dubai, birdies at the 17th and 18th ensured McIlroy held on for a hard-fought, incident-packed victory.

[30 January 2023 11:10 · Luke Baker]

Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the Dubai Desert Classic

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[30 January 2023 11:01 · Luke Baker]

Rory McIlroy discusses beating Patrick Reed - “It’s probably sweeter than it should be”

McIlroy was obviously asked whether this meant more given who he beat - namely Patrick Reed, following their ‘teegate’ spat earlier in the week and the American subpoena-ing the Northern Irishman on Christmas Eve in the ongoing LIV Golf vs PGA Tour civil war.

“Mentally today was probably one of the toughest rounds, I have had to play,” said McIlroy. “t would have been easy to let my emotions get in the way, I had to focus on myself, forget who was up there on leaderboard. I did that well, showed mental strength out there and now I can build for the rest of the year.

“There’s been a ton of positives but some things I need to learn from and improve on. I’m going to enjoy this, it’s probably sweeter than it should be or needs to be. There’s stuff to work on but a great start to the year and a great foundation to build off.

On his shots at 18: “I feel like I got luck y not to find water from the tee. It’s an awkward tee shot for me. A drive is too much and a 3-wood not enough. I tried to take an easy drive but it came out hot. I only had one choice, lay up and get up and down for the birdie. It was nice to be able to play the percentages and make it pay off.”

[30 January 2023 10:56 · Luke Baker]

Rory McIlroy reflects on winning Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy gives his immediate reaction to winning the Dubai Desert Classic

“It means a lot [to win]. I haven’t won one of these big ones [Rolex event] before. It was a battle all day, honestly it was a battle all week. I haven’t had my best all week but managed my game well, I played so smart.

“With the second shot at the last, I was in two minds. I could have got to the green but what happened yesterday and last year [going into the water], I gave myself wedge to get up and down. I’m ecstatic to win my first week out. I managed things well, there’s tons of room for improvement but a great start to the year.”

[30 January 2023 10:49 · Luke Baker]

Dubai Desert Classic final round: McIlroy -19 (F), Reed -18 (F)

What a clutch putt from McIlroy, vindicating his decision to lay up with his second shot. He finished birdie-birdie to pip Patrick Reed and it’s a win for the PGA Tour in the first PGA vs LIV Golf battle of the season

What a year we’ve got to come as the civil war rages on!

[30 January 2023 10:48 · Luke Baker]

Dubai Desert Classic final round: McIlroy -19 (F), Reed -18 (F)

Downhill putt, won’t need to put much into this...

HE’S DONE IT! It trickles down the hill and into the heart of the whole. Arm raised in celebration!

RORY MCILROY WINS THE DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC FOR THE THIRD TIME!

[30 January 2023 10:47 · Luke Baker]

Dubai Desert Classic final round: McIlroy -18 (17), Reed -18 (F)

McIlroy down on his haunches studying the green - the exact position he was in when Patrick Reed threw a tee at him on the practice grounds ahead of this tournament, incidentally...

Callum Shinkwin putting first and will give McIlroy a slight read. The Englishman races past and will have work for his birdie. Now it’s time for Rory. 15-foot putt to win, twoo putt for a play-off

(Getty Images)

[30 January 2023 10:43 · Luke Baker]

Dubai Desert Classic final round: McIlroy -18 (17), Reed -18 (F)

From 92 yards, McIlroy with his third shot.

Sticks it high into the Dubai air. Cheers and roars from the crowd, safely on the green and he’s left with maybe 15 feet for the birdie and the win. It’s decent but not spectacular.

[30 January 2023 10:41 · Luke Baker]

Dubai Desert Classic final round: McIlroy -18 (17), Reed -18 (F)

McIlroy with 196 yards from the water’s edge. He’s taking a lot of loft and opts to lay up to his favourite yardage rather than taking on the water to try and find the green.

He’ll have 92 yards, needing an up and down to win the Dubai Desert Classic without going to a play-off.