Rory McIlroy was on track for a victorious start to his season in Dubai, but Sunday’s round took a turn for the worse, not once, but twice.
The drama began at the par-3 14th hole. McIlroy, after delivering an impressive tee shot that landed about two feet from the hole, seemed set for an easy fourth consecutive birdie. However, in a surprising twist, the four-time major winner ended up three-putting from what appeared to be a straightforward range.
This unexpected turn of events was just the start of McIlroy’s tumultuous final round. He managed to rebound with a significantly longer birdie putt on the 15th and added another birdie on the 17th. This put him one shot ahead of his playing partner, Tommy Fleetwood, as they approached the final hole, the par-4 18th. In a critical moment, McIlroy’s tee shot ended up in the water.
The mishap resulted in a painful loss for McIlroy, although Fleetwood certainly had reason to celebrate. Despite the setback, McIlroy displayed resilience and a positive outlook.
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy acknowledged the “sloppy mistakes” typical of the first week back. He expressed his intention to learn from the day’s errors, noting that there was still a lot of positive play to build on. His plan was to refine his game further, feeling optimistic about the upcoming week.
McIlroy’s next challenge will be the Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament where he has found significant success in the past, being a three-time winner and the defending champion.
