February 1st 2015, Dubai, U.A.E.: Rory McIlroy produced an immaculate display of front running to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for a second time at Emirates Golf Club.
The World Number One, who had been in front since his sublime 64 on Friday, closed with a two under par 70 to win by three shots on a tournament record equalling 22 under par: only Thomas Bjørn and Stephen Gallacher had previously won with such a low total.
Sweden’s Alex Noren, who missed almost all of 204 with tendonitis in both wrists, carded a final round 65 to announce his return to action with a runner-up finish – his best on The European Tour since 2011.
McIlroy made this his maiden professional title back in 2009, and was delighted to end a string of runner-up finishes by going one better.
“It’s nice to be able to put my name on that trophy again,” said McIlroy, who has now won four and been runner-up in three of his last seven European Tour starts.
“It felt like I was coming second every time I was teeing it up so it was time for a change and obviously the only way I wanted to go was one better and thankfully I was able to do that today.
“I played very nicely all week; I did what I needed to do today. I didn’t play quite as well as the first three days but I played a solid round of golf and kept my nose in front.”
Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel had both seen substantial final round leads overhauled in recent weeks on The European Tour, and McIlroy admitted he had been concerned about suffering a similar fate.
“I felt like I was a little tentative the first few holes out there,” he added. “I guess we’ve seen what can happen to big leads out there the last few weeks and I was conscious of that and making sure that I wasn’t making any mistakes.”
Having started the day four shots clear, McIlroy immediately extended that advantage when nearest challenger Morten Ørum Madsen found the same bunker twice on the opening hole and ran up a triple bogey seven.
Instead it was former World Number One Lee Westwood who applied some pressure to McIlroy, birdieing three of the first five holes to get within four shots of the leader.
McIlroy had only birdied the long third from 12 feet over that stretch, and although Westwood bogeyed the sixth, McIlroy dropped a shot of his own at the short next after missing the green with his tee shot.
However, Westwood double bogeyed the ninth for the second day running after finding the water and from then on nobody seriously looked like threatening McIlroy.
The 25 year old got up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the tenth for birdie, made a 20 footer for par at the 12th and then completed his scoring with a stunning second into the long 13th and two-putt gain.
The four-time Major Champion then proceeded to play it safe over the closing stretch, finding fairways and greens at will as he parred his way in.
Noren won three European Tour titles between 2009 and 2011, but managed only two events last season and was delighted to get the competitive juices flowing again.
“It was an amazing day, an amazing week,” said the 32 year old after carding eight birdies against a single bogey. “I missed it so much - feeling my pulse and some nervousness, it's really nice.
“I never even thought of winning; he's playing so good. I was just trying to get a nice finish in, keep making birdies and try to stay up with the other guys.
“I was pretty unsure even two months ago if I was going to play again this early - it's tough when you don't know if the hand is holding up, and that's been a little bit of a problem, but it turned out better than I thought.”
Defending champion Stephen Gallacher carded a closing 69 to finish third on 16 under, with Madsen, US Open Champion Kaymer, Abu Dhabi winner Gary Stal, South African Open Champion Andy Sullivan and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger tied for fourth a shot further back. Westwood eventually finished with a level par 72 to end the week in a tie for ninth.
