I was in driver’s seat & I blew it
GOLF DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC Rory’s title wait continues
RORY McILROY admitted he was “p ***** off” after chucking his chance to win a first title in 16 months at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The Northern Irishman trailed overnight leader Li Haotong by a shot going into the final round only to open up a two-stroke lead with three birdies in his first 10 holes.
But the four-time Major champ dropped shots at 11 and 16 either side of three-putting the 13th for par as China’s Li birdied four of his last six holes to win by one.
McIlroy, who shot a threeunder 69 for a 22-under total, has finished third and second in the United Arab Emirates following his return from a rib injury that plagued last season.
But asked how he felt to miss out on his first victory since September 2016, he said: “Yeah, p ***** off. I thought I was in the driver’s seat. Then a bogey out of nowhere on 11 – just a bad nine-iron – and the three-putt on 13, those were the key holes of the tournament even though there was a bad tee shot on 16.
“It was a couple of bad shots, poor decisions, mental errors and a few tentative putts. I just wish I could get a couple of those holes back.”
McIlroy pulled off a birdiebirdie finish but it was too late to deny Li – who missed the cut a week earlier in Abu Dhabi – his second European Tour title.
The 28-year-old added: “If someone had told me at the start of the year you’d finish third and second in your first two events I’d take that.
“But being in the positions I’ve been in and having two close calls it’s a little difficult.
“The competitor in me is very disappointed right now. I always want to win and I just didn’t do enough when I needed to.”
Li, who won his maiden title at the 2016 China Open, now becomes the first Chinese player to enter the top 50.
The 22-year-old, who holed a 25-footer from the fringe of the green at the 15th, said: “It’s incredible, I’m so happy.
“Over the last four holes I hit some of the best shots of my life.
“I didn’t realise I could make that putt on 15. That was huge, that was the turning point. And I didn’t realise I would make that one on 18 either.
“My game is in a good position. It gives me a lot of confidence back, especially after missing the cut last week.”
(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72): Haotong Li (Chn) 69. Rory McIlroy 69. Tyrrell Hatton 66. Alexander Levy (Fra) 70. Chris Paisley 69.
RICHIE RAMSAY 64, Ian Poulter 69. S Garcia (Spa) 71.
SCOTT JAMIESON 71, Tommy Fleetwood 68. STEPHEN GALLACHER 71.
271 – others 272 – 276 – – LEADING SCORES 265 – 266 – 281 – 269 – 268 – Selected 279