McIlroy wins Dubai Desert Classic for fourth time

Rory McIlroy defended his title at the Dubai Desert Classic after beating Poland's Adrian Meronk by one shot.

The 34-year-old Northern Irishman made par at the last to card a two-under 70, finishing on 14 under to win the tournament for a record fourth time.

American Cameron Young, the overnight leader, was third, two shots back, following his two-over 74.

McIlroy's victory followed his second-placed finish in the Dubai Invitational the previous weekend.

The world number two, who was playing in only his second tournament since November, put himself into contention with a nine-under-par 63 in the third round, which moved him to 12 under for the tournament and within two shots of Young

Three birdies on the front nine of his final round, and just one dropped shot on the 13th, proved enough for McIlroy to continue his winning run in a tournament that brought him his first professional victory back in 2009.

Young's challenge faltered with two early dropped shots, with three birdies on the back cancelled out by three more bogeys for the 2022 Open runner-up.

McIlroy, meanwhile, made birdies at the second, eighth and ninth holes to reach the turn with a three-shot lead on 15 under.

Meronk, who started the day tied with McIlroy, picked up another birdie on the third to keep pace with the four-time major winner.

The 30-year-old Pole seemingly fell out of contention following a double bogey at the par-three seventh and a bogey at the ninth. But, after making three birdies in the opening five holes of the back nine, coupled with McIlroy's six at the par-five 13th, he returned to within one shot of the defending champion.

McIlroy scrambled pars on the 14th, 15th and 16th, while Meronk, playing in the penultimate group, bogeyed the par-four 16th before fighting back to birdie the last and set a clubhouse lead of 13 under.

But McIlroy made par in his final two holes to close out victory.