11 under over the weekend was good enough for Rory McIlroy to win his fourth Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy started his fourth round on 12 under and two behind leader Cameron Young. McIlroy made his first move with a birdie at the 351 yard par four second after finding the green in one shot. Four-time major winner had 247 yards for his second shot at par five third which ended up just off the green. McIlroy misjudged his chip shot which resulted in a disappointing par. The fourth at Majlis is a 181 yard par three and McIlroy’s tee shot ended up in a greenside bunker. Northern Irishman got up & down for par and gained a shot as Young dropped a shot on the same hole.

McIlroy achieved pars at both five & six hole and was joint leader heading to hole seven. Four-time major winner was extremely lucky that his tee shot didn’t roll into the water and achieved a sensational par. Hole eight and nine are extremely difficult holes at the Majlis layout. “At the pivotal point for me came on the 8th and 9th hole. Making two threes there”, said McIlroy. McIlroy shot a front nine of 32 and took a three shot lead into the back nine. Northern Irishman had 254 yards for his second shot at the par five 10th but ended up in a greenside bunker. McIlroy gave the chasing pack encouragement as he failed to achieve a birdie.

Young dropped shots at both the 11th & 12th hole and McIlroy went four ahead with six holes to play. Four-time major winner tried to cut the corner at par five 13th but was extremely lucky to find his ball. McIlroy’s second shot came to rest near a tree, third ended up in a bunker and held a short-range bogey putt. “I made that one blunder on 13, and made bogey there”, said McIlroy. A big five holes for McIlroy considering letting a lead slip last weekend at Dubai Invitational.

McIlroy missed the fairway at the 14th hole but managed to escape with a par. “Felt like I steadied the ship well over the last few holes”, Said Down native. Meronk made a bogey at the 16th hole and McIlroy was two ahead with two holes to play. The final two holes at Majlis makes it a dramatic finish with a drivable par four and a closing par five.

17th hole played 330 yards on day four and McIlroy’s tee shot ended up left of the green. Northern Irishman made hard work of 17 with two poor chip shots but successfully held a short-range par putt. Meronk achieved a birdie at the 18th and finished on 13 under. McIlroy had 225 yards for his second shot at the 18th which ended up in the rough. A sensible chip shot and a two putt was good enough for McIlroy to be crowned 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion.

McIlroy has started 2024 with a tied second finish at Dubai Invitational and a win at Dubai Desert Classic. “Yeah, it's a great start to the season”, said McIlroy. Northern Irishman earned $1.5 million for winning 2024 Dubai Desert Classic. “It's a great platform to build from”, said Down native.