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McIlroy holds off Reed to win Dubai Desert Classic in thrilling fashion

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Rory McIlroy sank a 14ft birdie putt on the 72nd hole to pip Patrick Reed and win his first start of the season in thrilling fashion at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.Leading by a stroke from a resurgent Reed coming to the final hole, McIlroy flirted with disaster on the tee shot, his ball almost trundling into the lake right of the fairway.

Fortunately for the Down golfer, his ball held up in the rough just shy of the water.As Reed tapped in for a birdie-4 on the 18th green to tie the lead at 18-under, McIlroy, who dunked his second shot to 18 in the water on Saturday, opted to lay up with his approach.

He then clipped his 92 yard pitch to 14ft, needing the putt to win or else face a playoff.FULL LEADERBOARDWhile Reed watched from the scorers' tent - having signed in for an impressive closing round of 65 - McIlroy surveyed the tricky downhill putt.Never in doubt

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A jubilant Rory McIlroy believes he has plenty of room for improvement after holding off the challenge of rival Patrick Reed to win a third Hero Dubai Desert Classic title in dramatic style.
DUBAI: Rory McIlroy prevailed in a nail-biting finish over Patrick Reed, the man he “prefers not to acknowledge” after a spat between the two, in the rain-delayed $9 million Dubai Desert Classic on Monday. It was the first time McIlroy has won the first start of his new season and is his 15th DP World Tour victory in 231 starts. It was also his third Dubai Desert Classic victory in 13 appearances.
World number one Rory McIlroy won his third Dubai Desert Classic title on Monday after he shot a final round of 68 to finish at 19-under overall, beating Patrick Reed by one stroke.

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