'Number 5' Hovland "Norway's First Rolex Series Champ"... McIlroy "18th Hole Nightmare"

DP World Tour Dubai Desert Classic Final Day "6-Under Par Storm Shots," Winning Birdie on First Playoff Hole, Bland 2nd Place

Viktor Hovland is cheering while hugging the trophy immediately after winning the Dubai Desert Classic. Dubai (UAE) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "4-under par in the last 3 holes."

This was the spectacular finale by Viktor Hovland (Norway), ranked 5th in the world. On the night of the 30th (Korean time) at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (par 72, 7,364 yards), during the final day of the Dubai Desert Classic (total prize money $8 million), he surged with a 6-under par round to take the top spot on the leaderboard (12-under par 276). Then, in a playoff against Richard Bland (England) on the 18th hole (par 5), he clinched the winning birdie. This marked his second DP World Tour (European Tour) victory following the BMW International in June last year, with a winner's prize of $1,358,500 (1.646 billion KRW).

Hovland made headlines at the 2019 US Open by setting the amateur record for the lowest score in 59 years (4-under par 280). After turning professional, he quickly won the Puerto Rico Open on the PGA Tour in February 2020 and the Mayakoba Classic in December. Last year, he secured his third career win by defending his title at the World Wide Technology Championship (Mayakoba Classic), which was part of the 2022 season, and also swept the prestigious Hero World Challenge in December.

It is noteworthy that Hovland warmed up with a tie for 4th place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which ended on the 23rd. Starting the day tied for 13th, 6 shots behind the leader, he posted a daily best 6-under par. Highlights included a birdie on the 16th hole (par 4), an eagle on the 17th hole (par 4), a birdie on the 18th hole, and a smooth birdie in the playoff with ‘2-on 2-putt’. This tournament is also the second event of the ‘Rolex Series’, which bundles five premium DP World Tour matches. Hovland set a new milestone as the first Norwegian Rolex Series champion.

Rory McIlroy is executing a trouble shot on the 17th hole during the final day of the Dubai Desert Classic. Dubai (UAE) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) saw his dramatic late-stage bid for victory end in 3rd place (11-under par 277). The turning point was a ‘big par’ on the 17th hole while tied for the lead at 12-under par. His driver tee shot got stuck in the bushes, making it difficult to play the ball, but his third shot from the rough landed close to the hole, allowing him to save a precious par. The final 18th hole (par 5) was a source of regret, as a bogey resulted from his second shot landing in the water, preventing him from advancing to the playoff.

On the final day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy attempted a ‘2-on’ at the 664-yard 18th hole (par 5) but was stopped by the water hazard. It is interesting that in two consecutive tournaments, he played aggressively at critical moments that decided the outcome. Defending champion Paul Casey (England) and ‘Abu Dhabi champion’ Thomas Pieters (Belgium) tied for 12th place (6-under par 282), while ‘Number 2’ Collin Morikawa (USA) finished tied for 18th (5-under par 283).

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