Rory McIlroy was in a class all of his own in capturing a record-setting fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the 38th victory of his pro career.
McIlroy toasted success in posting a closing round 70 to win by two shots at 14-under from Poland’s Adrian Meronk on the host Emirates Club course.
Victory also sees McIlroy joining Scotland’s Stevie Gallacher as only the second repeat winner in the now 35-year history of the premier Dubai event.
Rory McIlroy makes it a record-setting fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic victory
McIlroy headed into closing day of the the sesaon’s first Rolex Series event trailing two shots behind visiting American Cameron Young, who led at 12-under, however after nine holes and thanks to birdies at two, eight and nine the World No. 2 ranked Northern Irishman was three in front of his rivals heading into the closing nine.
There was a little misadventure for McIlroy after a poor drive into trees down the left par-5 13th in taking bogey that cut his lead to just one from Meronk but other than that it was all McIlroy.
Meronk made a mess of the 16th in taking bogey ahead of finishing with a closing birdie in his score of 71 for a 13-under tally while Young, who also had led by three shots heading to the weekend, struggled under the weight of two bogeys in his opening six holes and eventually posting a two-over 74 to finish in third place at 12-under.
Aussie Open winner Joaquin Niemann, and contesting his first Hero Dubai Desert Classic title, shared fourth place at 10-under.
In the end it was McIlroy’s being handed the famed Dallah trophy for a fourth time since his maiden Desert Classic success in 2009.
“It’s really cool. I didn’t think about that during the course of the round. It was a tricky day, it was hard to make a ton of birdies”, said McIlroy.
“The 8th and 9th holes were key to make birdies. I made a blunder on 13th but I steadied the ship well. I held on as best as I could. Thankfully, nobody at the top of the leaderboard made much of a run.
“Played the game long enough to know how these are going to go! Incredible to get my fourth win at the Emirates.
“It’s a great start to the season. It’s a great platform to build from. There’s still a few misses off the tee from the left. It’s great to get the competition and come out on top.”
McILROY – With his 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic Victory
Pro career win – 38th
DP World Tour win – 17
Hero Dubai Desert Classic victories – 4 (Record)
Combined four Hero Dubai Desert Classic winning totals – 74 under par
Prize payout for his four Dubai wins – $3,818,505
Only second player in 35-year of Hero Dubai Desert Classic to win back-to-back
Victories in Dubai – 6
Reflecting his global status, he’s won in nine different countries on five different continents
Just a second time in his career he’s successfully defended a title in winning the 2021 and ’22 CJ Cup
Only a second victory in the month of January. His best winning month is May – 7 (Has never won in the month of April)
Has now won at least one tournament a year, with exemption of 2017 and also 2020, since 2009
