Rory McIlroy's Late Surge Edges Patrick Reed at Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy birdied the final two holes to defeat Patrick Reed by a stroke at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Monday.
McIlroy curled in a 20-footer on the 18th at Emirates Golf Club for a 68 to edge Reed, who shot a final-round 65 and briefly led on the back nine.
But a 16th-hole bogey by Reed and a par at 17 opened the door for McIlroy, who drove to the edge of the green at the par-4 17th and two-putted to retake the lead.
Reed, playing in the group ahead, birdied the 18th to tie and then waited in scoring to see if he would be in a playoff.
"I knew what I had to do early," Reed told Golf Digest. "I went out there and put the pressure on him. Being four back of a guy like Rory is not easy. I battled it out, but missed a great opportunity on 15. The only real bad shot I hit was the tee shot on 16. Ended up behind the tree.
McIlroy’s victory in Dubai capped a wild week in which he and Reed were involved in a spat that saw Reed lightly toss a tee in McIlroy’s direction after the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world failed to acknowledge him on the driving range.
Reed, who now plays for LIV Golf, also was involved in a rules controversy during Sunday’s third round.
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McIlroy nearly squandered the tournament when his drive on 18 came up inches short of the water. He played his second from the red penalty area line and laid up on the par-5 hole.
Earlier, Reed had eagled the 10th to make up a four-stroke deficit. Reed was seeking his first victory since the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour.