Viktor Hovland celebrates win after sudden-death decider at Dubai Desert Classic

Viktor Hovland produced a stunning finish to win the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in a play-off after two-time winner Rory McIlroy blew his chances of a third title on the last hole.

Hovland covered his last three holes in four under par to force a sudden-death decider before edging out Englishman Richard Bland on the first extra hole at Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy had looked to have the tournament within his grasp, holding a share of the lead heading down the stretch with his closest rivals having all finished.

However, after scrambling a par following a poor tee shot at the 17th, he then found the water on the last and the resulting bogey meant he signed for a closing 71 and finished on 11 under, one behind Hovland and Bland, who went on to replay the 18th.

Hovland found the green in two on the par five and sealed victory, his first in a Rolex Series event, with a two-foot birdie putt.

“This is pretty wild, I didn’t really think this was possible going into today,” Hovland told Sky Sports in an interview conducted by Bland’s coach – and TV presenter – Tim Barter.

“I knew I had to shoot a real low number but a lot of things had to go my way. I’m thankful that it did.

“I was fuming after the three-putt on 15. I felt that was it. I just had to try to finish off well and I rolled a really long one in on 16 and then, on 17, hey, we got a shot.

“I’m pumping right now. It’s a bit surreal.”

The victory was Hovland’s third in his last five starts – he also overturned a six-shot deficit to win the Hero World Challenge in December – and takes him to a career-high third in the world rankings.

“It’s pretty wild,” he added. “Earlier this week I was up to fifth and I was getting questions about how that felt.

“More of the same, I