Rory McIlroy Rory wins Dubai Desert Traditional for file 4th time

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy received the Dubai Desert Traditional for a file fourth time after reeling in Cameron Younger early within the last spherical then holding off Adrian Meronk down the again 9 to seal a 1-stroke victory on Sunday.

McIlroy closed with a 2-under 70 to retain the title at a match he has now received greater than another occasion in his profession. Amongst his 38 wins as knowledgeable, he had additionally received the Tour Championship and Wells Fargo Championship 3 times.

Younger began Day 4 with a 2-stroke lead however was trailing McIlroy — his taking part in associate within the last group — after making bogey at No. 6 for his second dropped shot of the spherical.

McIlroy opened up a lead of three pictures by the flip after birdies at Nos. 8 and 9 however got here below stress from Meronk, who made 4 birdies on his again 9.

The world No. 2 walked down No. 18 main by 1 shot — similar to ultimately week’s Dubai Invitational, when he was crushed by Tommy Fleetwood — however this time he did not lose it as he closed with a par for 14-under par total.

“It was a type of days the place there wasn’t a ton of fireworks simply because the course was so troublesome,” mentioned McIlroy, who made eight pars and a bogey on his again 9. “However I held on as greatest as I may and fortunately nobody across the high of the leaderboard made a lot of a run.”

Meronk (71), just lately topped because the European tour’s participant of the yr for 2023, was alone in second place and Younger, taking part in in Dubai for the primary time, was third after capturing 74.

McIlroy broke a tie with South African nice Ernie Els, who had additionally received the Dubai Desert Traditional 3 times, and has began 2024 with a second and a primary.

“It is a fantastic platform to construct from,” he mentioned. “I do know I am taking part in good golf.

“A pair little issues nonetheless to work on,” McIlroy added, “however these weeks are nice. You study a ton from them, and clearly nice to get the competitors and are available out on high as properly.”