Rory McIlroy suffers worst finish in 17 years at Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy has suffered his worst finish for 17 years in a frustrating week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, slumping to joint 33rd place on two under par after a final round of 73, reports BritPanorama.
The Northern Irishman last failed to secure a top-10 finish when he missed the cut back in 2008. His performance this week has raised questions about his form as he prepares for the Masters tournament.
Patrick Reed, in contrast, claimed a commanding victory, finishing twelve shots clear of McIlroy at 14 under par. The American maintained control of the tournament, leading after both 36 and 54 holes before sealing his win on Sunday.
McIlroy acknowledged the need to build momentum, stating, “Still trying to obviously build up to the Masters. Last year was really good for me with the win at Pebble and the win at The Players.” He expressed hope to regain form in upcoming tournaments in California and Florida leading into Augusta.
The final round saw Reed adopt a cautious approach, recording eight pars and a single dropped shot on the outward nine while facing pressure from David Puig. The competition intensified as Puig narrowed the gap with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes. Reed responded with a birdie on the 10th, restoring a four-stroke cushion after Puig stumbled with a bogey on the 13th.
Reed’s victory marks a significant achievement, making him only the sixth American player to lift the prestigious Dallah trophy in the tournament’s history. He noted that maintaining focus over the course was essential, saying, “It hasn’t fully set it in yet. Today was a lot harder than expected.”
The day’s challenges also impacted other competitors, with Andy Sullivan finishing in solo second at ten under after overcoming four bogeys on his front nine, while Julien Guerrier rounded off the top three, finishing one shot further back.
As McIlroy grapples with a disheartening performance, the pressure mounts not just from his ranking, but from the expectations set by previous successes. It’s a reminder that even the best can stumble on their way to glory, and the journey back is never straightforward.
