McIlroy's First Win of the New Year... 'I Am the Dubai Champion'

As expected, the powerhouse of Dubai.

Rory McIlroy is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. [Dubai (UAE) = AP·Yonhap News]

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World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) secured his second consecutive victory. On the 21st (local time), at the DP World Tour Rolex Series Hero Dubai Desert Classic (total prize money $9 million) held at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, UAE (par 72, 7,428 yards), he added 2 under par in the 4th round to complete a 1-stroke win (14 under par, 274 strokes).

This marks McIlroy's 17th DP World Tour win, six months after his victory at the Genesis Scottish Open last July, with a winner's prize of $1.53 million (approximately 2 billion KRW). McIlroy has shown exceptional performance in Dubai, securing his 4th win at this tournament alone, following victories in 2009, 2015, and 2023.

Starting from a tie for 2nd place, 2 strokes behind, McIlroy recorded 3 birdies and 1 bogey. He took the lead on the leaderboard with his first birdie at the 2nd hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies at the 8th and 9th holes. Although he made a bogey at the 13th hole (par 5), it did not affect his winning score.

Adrian Meronk (Poland) reduced his score by 1 stroke to finish as runner-up (13 under par, 275 strokes). Cameron Young (USA) lost 2 strokes and dropped to 3rd place (12 under par, 276 strokes). Joaquin Niemann (Chile) of LIV Golf tied for 4th place (10 under par, 278 strokes), while Adam Scott (Australia) and Li Haotong (China) tied for 7th place (9 under par, 279 strokes). Tommy Fleetwood (England), last week's Dubai Invitational winner, finished tied for 14th place (6 under par, 282 strokes).

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