Hojgaard saves best for last as he triumphs in Dubai with brilliant 64

NICOLAI HOJGAARD produced a brilliant eight-under-par 64 on the final day to claim his first Rolex Series title with victory at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The 22-year-old Dane recorded nine birdies – including six on a scintillating back nine – and only one bogey to finish two shots clear of his Ryder Cup team-mates Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood, and overnight leader Matt Wallace.

Hojgaard saw off the challenge of his rivals with a stunning run of five successive birdies from the 13th to finish on 21 under at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Hojgaard, who will finish the year second in the Race to Dubai behind Rory McIlroy, said: “It means a lot, it’s the sweetest one. So much hard work has been put in over the past couple years. It feels amazing, this is for family and everything they put in over the years. So much hard work going into this, for it to happen like this is unbelievable.

“We know there are a lot of birdies but we have to hit the shots and hole the putts. Anything can happen. We were just focused on the job today, to walk up 18 knowing there’s a good chance feels good.

“I played some really good golf. I have to say this is the best golf I’ve played in a tournament and the strongest field in my three wins. My game feels good, I felt good before going out and to finish it like this feels good.

“This is the sweetest way to finish the year, I can’t believe we finished on such a high note, I’m definitely going to enjoy this.”

England’s Wallace started the final day with a one-shot lead over Fleetwood and Hovland after a remarkable third-round 60 but he could only card a 69 yesterday and had to settle for a share of second spot.

Countryman Fleetwood finished off with a 68, as did Norway’s Hovland. Defending champion Jon Rahm (66) was tied for fifth at 17 under, with world No.2 McIlroy seven shots back after a 70.

Claiming his fifth Harry Vardon trophy, the Northern Irishman is now third on the all-time list, just one short of the late Seve Ballesteros and three behind the record of Colin Montgomerie.

The 34-year-old insists he has no intention of slowing down.

“I’ve still got a little bit left in the tank. I think I’ve still got a good eight to 10 years left in me where I can play at the top, top level,” McIlroy said. “I’d like to think that I’m going to challenge, at least try to get past Seve and then sort of try to get past Monty as well. But it’s certainly a goal of mine for the rest of my career to do something like that. It would mean a lot to me.

“I think it shows my consistency year-to-year. I think over the last 10 years, I think I’ve won eight seasonlong titles between America and between here, so it just shows my level of consistency.”

Leading Scot was Ewen Ferguson, who finished joint ninth after a 70 left him on 15 under.