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England’s Tyrrell Hatton said it was “a dream come true” after golfer Liv continued his remarkable form on the European tour on Sunday claiming the Dubai Desert Classic as Rory McIlroy’s gallant effort to ensure the title for three consecutive years came up short.
At Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course, the 33-year-old Englishman holed a testing five-foot putt at the 18th to stay ahead of night leader Daniel Hillier (71), who had closed the overnight gap A shot with a birdie his on the par-5 finishing hole.
Despite starting the day with a bogey, Hatton closed with a solid 6-under par 69 for a 15-under total. His fifth Rolex Win series ties him with his LIV golf captain Jon Rahm for the most wins in the DP European Tour’s version of the high events.
England’s Laurie Canter (68) was in sole third at 13 under.
McIlroy shot a 66, with five birdies on the back nine, to tie for fourth place alongside Danish sensation Niklas Norgaard (66).
Hatton, who is playing on the DP World Tour because he appealed his fines (for playing on Liv Golf) and did not resign from his membership, is expected to move from 17 to eighth in the golf rankings in the world when updated on Monday.
He started the day one behind Hillier, and advanced decisively on the fifth hole when he made birdie, while the Kiwi plugged his chip for bogey.
Three-time Ryder Cup star Hatton had an anxious moment on the par-3 seventh hole, where his tee shot stopped dangerously close to the water, but he continued to make a par three.
“I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous on the back nine, to be honest. I guess I just wanted it a little too much. I knew the position I was in, and a little scruffy going into the last one.
– “Engages well” –
“I said earlier in the week, this is one of the events you’d love to have on your CV. It’s such an iconic event for the DP World Tour. To add my name to the list of incredible champions who have previously been Me, it’s a dream come true.
Hatton recorded his second victory in four starts following his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship triumph last October.
McIlroy said he was pleased with how he played this weekend in his first start of the year.
“I probably let myself go a little too much after three days. I had some chances and I was burning around the edges,” McIlroy said.
“I felt like I was putting pretty well without going in anything and today I didn’t really feel like I played any different than how I’ve been playing the last few days.
“I just sank a few putts and made a few good ups and downs when I had to. I feel like I’m gradually getting better as the week goes on, which bodes well for obviously the next few weeks .”
Despite missing out on the title, it was still a 12th consecutive top 10 finish in the tournament for the Northern Irishman.
The last time he didn’t crack the top-10 was in 2008 when he missed the cut.
Keita Nakajima of Japan made the first albatross of the season when he holed his second shot to 244 yards on the par-5 18th. It catapulted him to a share of 21st place.
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