MCILROY WINS DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC FOR RECORD 4th TIME

Mcllroy broke a tie with South African great Ernie Els, who had also won the event three times, and has started 2024 with a second and first in Dubai a place he once called home and with which he still has a strong affinity...

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Rory McIlroy won the Dubai Desert Classic for a record fourth time, completing a remarkable weekend comeback by reeling in Cameron Young early in the final round, then holding off Adrian Meronk by a stroke, McIlroy closed with a 2-under 70 to retain the title at a tournament he first won in 2009 and has captured more than any other in his career. Among his 35 wins as a professional, he had also won the Tour Championship and Wells Fargo Championship three times. His latest victory at Emirates Golf Club was surely the most unlikely. McIlroy walked to the 18th tee on Friday trailing Young by 11 shots, only to make birdie, shoot 63 on Saturday to get into the final pairing on Sunday and then wipe out the American's overnight two-stroke lead after just six holes.

McIlroy led by three at the turn after birdies at Nos. 8 and 9 — two of the toughest holes at Emirates Golf Club — but came under some pressure from Meronk, who made four birdies on his back nine.