McIlroy overcomes Reed by 1
Feud between the two serves as backdrop over tense final holes at Dubai Desert Classic
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy watched his 15-foot birdie putt roll into the cup, clenched his fist and let out a roar to celebrate a victory that felt bigger and sweeter than most.
Because of the man he beat as much as the big title he won.
McIlroy, the top-ranked player, overcame a final-round charge from LIV player Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic for the third time Monday after a tense duel between players who were involved in a pre-tournament spat.
McIlroy finished birdie-birdie to shoot 4-under-par 68 and win by a stroke — at 19-under overall — over Reed, who shot 65.
“Mentally, today was probably one of the toughest rounds I have ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way,” McIlroy said. “I just had to really focus on myself and forget who was up there on the leaderboard.”
McIlroy and Reed traded verbal blows Wednesday after an interaction
— of sorts — at the practice range Tuesday in which McIlroy snubbed Reed, who had tried to wish the Northern Irishman a happy new year. Reed walked away before lightly 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.”
Hence McIlroy’s sense of satisfaction after making the title-clinching putt on the par-5 18th.
“This is probably sweeter than it should be,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy started a year with a win for the first time in his career. He decided to take extra time off around Christmas because, in his words, he was “mentally drained” by being an anti-LIV spokesman last year.
A duel between McIlroy and Reed looked unlikely, with McIlroy starting Monday with a three-shot lead — and four ahead of American. However, McIlroy was overtaken on the back nine by Reed, who picked up seven shots in his first 13 holes while McIlroy was playing safety-first golf.
Reed, attempting to become the first LIV Golf player to win an event on the European tour, bogeyed No. 16, could make only a par at the drivable 17th after hitting his tee shot into a small bush. He birdied No. 18 to put pressure on McIlroy, who had twoputted for birdie at No. 17 to move back into a share of the lead.
“It was a battle all day — honestly, it’s been a battle all week,” McIlroy. “Ecstatic that I gave myself the opportunity the first week back out. I managed my game well.”