{"id":510114,"date":"2023-01-30T13:23:45","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T13:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/its-been-a-battle-rory-mcilroy-delighted-to-pip-rival-patrick-reed-in-dubai\/"},"modified":"2023-11-29T18:57:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T18:57:32","slug":"its-been-a-battle-rory-mcilroy-delighted-to-pip-rival-patrick-reed-in-dubai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/its-been-a-battle-rory-mcilroy-delighted-to-pip-rival-patrick-reed-in-dubai\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s been a battle \u2013 Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai"},"content":{"rendered":"
An ecstatic Rory McIlroy believes he has plenty of room for improvement after holding off a brilliant challenge from rival Patrick Reed to win a third Hero Dubai Desert Classic title in dramatic style.<\/p>\n
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par as the first Monday finish in the tournament’s history proved well worth the wait.<\/p>\n
Playing in the group ahead, Reed had also birdied the 18th to complete a superb 65 and set the clubhouse target, but McIlroy was not to be denied and holed from 15 feet on the last to cement his status as world number one.<\/p>\n
“It means a lot,” said McIlroy, who had never previously won on his first start of the calendar year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Never in doubt 🙌@McIlroyRory<\/a> claims his first Rolex Series victory.#HeroDDC<\/a> | #RolexSeries<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GVylbKzHVD<\/a><\/p>\n — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 30, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n