HATTON WINS HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

MCILROY FINISHES FOURTH FOR 12TH STRAIGHT TOP-10 FINISH AT THE EVENT

- 

Tyrrell Hatton kept an eye on the scoreboard but managed to hold on for a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He held off New Zealander Daniel Hillier (71) by one shot with fairly safe play on the 18th.

Hatton's last DP World Tour win was a third Alfred Dunhill Links title in October 2024, and he last won in the Middle East at the 2021 HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.

Hatton ended at 15-under and Laurie Canter (68) who closed birdie-birdie was third at 13-under. Rory McIlroy, who began the week with hopes of a third straight win at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and fifth one overall, shot the equal second-best score of the day at 6-under 66 and finished fourth alongside Denmark's Niklas Norgaard (66) at 12-under.

It was McIlroy's 12th straight top-10 finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic dating back to his first win at this event in 2009. Hatton began the final round one behind Hillier but then played out a hard-fought three-underpar 69 to finish on 15 under and one clear of Hillier at Emirates Golf Club.