McIlroy edges bitter rival Reed in Dubai
DUBAI: rory mcilroy prevailed in a nailbiting finish over patrick reed, the man he “prefers not to acknowledge” after a spat between the two, in the rain-delayed dubai desert classic on monday.
It was the first time McIlroy has won the first start of his new season and is his 15th DP World Tour victory in 231 starts.
His one-stroke victory was also his third Dubai Desert Classic success in 13 appearances.
He will remain world number one, 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 incident, caught on camera, turned out to be a lot milder than reported but the two have been at odds since McIlroy criticized players, including Reed, who joined the rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.
Relations were not helped by McIlroy receiving a subpoena from Reed’s lawyer on Christmas Eve to appear as a witness in a case.
McIlroy had fallen behind Reed after a bogey on the 15th hole but he made amends with birdies on the 17th and 18th in a round of four-under par 68.
The Northern Irishman finished on 19-under par, while Reed, starting the day four shots behind McIlroy, made a crucial bogey on the 16th and a par on the drivable par-4 17th hole in his round of 65.
“I think, mentally, today was probably one of the toughest rounds I’ve ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way,” said McIlroy, who won $1.53 million
for his effort.
“I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself. I had to forget who was up there on the leaderboard, and I did that really well.”
McIlroy blew his chances last year when he hit his second shot into the water on the final hole — and he almost repeated the scenario with his tee shot on the 18th.
“Honestly, I feel I got lucky that my ball didn’t go in the water. It’s such an awkward tee shot for me,” he said.
‘Hats off to McIlroy’
McIlroy said such an early first win was even sweeter as he was not playing his best golf through the week.
Reed edged ahead by a shot when McIlroy made a bogey on the par-3 15th but gave it up on the next hole when his drive got stymied by a tree.
He then had to take a drop shot on the 17th from a small bush, and could not take advantage of the drivable par-4.
“I’m happy with that finish. I felt like we were probably almost playing for second going into the day,” said Reed.
“I knew what I had to do early. I went out there and I put the pressure on him. You know, being four back of a guy like Rory is not easy.
“Hats off to him, he played some great golf.”