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Teen McIlroy hangs tough for Dubai triumph
Source: Agencies |
February 2, 2009, Monday
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TEENAGER Rory McIlroy held his nerve in an up-and-down final round to win the Dubai Desert Classic by one shot yesterday in the United Arab Emirates, sealing his first European Tour victory.
The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland closed with a two-under-par 70 for a total of 19-under-par 269, one shot ahead of Briton Justin Rose and two above Sweden's Henrik Stenson.
McIlroy played eight holes early in the morning to complete his third round 67 at an event where the first two days had been disrupted by fog.
Starting the final round at 17-under-par, McIlroy quickly consolidated his lead with three successive birdies on the first three holes. A double bogey on the fifth and a dropped shot on the eighth halted his stunning charge.
But the youngster kept his composure, reeling off five birdies in a row from the ninth, but just when it appeared McIlroy would cruise to victory, he dropped three shots in a row.
Leading by a shot going into the final hole, McIlroy saved a par after hitting his third shot into a bunker while Rose missed his birdie putt.
Robert Karlsson of Sweden, Britain's Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer of Germany finished tied for fourth, three shots behind McIlroy.
Meanwhile, in Scottsdale, Arizona, little-known American Scott Piercy is confident he can stun the golfing world, come from behind and win the Phoenix Open.
The 30-year-old PGA Tour rookie surged up the leaderboard in Saturday's third round with eight birdies in the first 13 holes before a faltering finish left him one stroke behind the pace-setting Kenny Perry.
Piercy hopes he can draw on happy memories from 2007 when he birdied five of the last six holes to triumph at the made-for-television, winner-take-all Ultimate Game tournament in his hometown of Las Vegas.
"When it's hot in the kitchen, I like to be there," he said after firing a five-under-par 66 for an 11-under total of 202 at the TPC Scottsdale.
"I just have a knack for being around the lead and, when I get there, I really enjoy being there and thrive on it.
The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland closed with a two-under-par 70 for a total of 19-under-par 269, one shot ahead of Briton Justin Rose and two above Sweden's Henrik Stenson.
McIlroy played eight holes early in the morning to complete his third round 67 at an event where the first two days had been disrupted by fog.
Starting the final round at 17-under-par, McIlroy quickly consolidated his lead with three successive birdies on the first three holes. A double bogey on the fifth and a dropped shot on the eighth halted his stunning charge.
But the youngster kept his composure, reeling off five birdies in a row from the ninth, but just when it appeared McIlroy would cruise to victory, he dropped three shots in a row.
Leading by a shot going into the final hole, McIlroy saved a par after hitting his third shot into a bunker while Rose missed his birdie putt.
Robert Karlsson of Sweden, Britain's Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer of Germany finished tied for fourth, three shots behind McIlroy.
Meanwhile, in Scottsdale, Arizona, little-known American Scott Piercy is confident he can stun the golfing world, come from behind and win the Phoenix Open.
The 30-year-old PGA Tour rookie surged up the leaderboard in Saturday's third round with eight birdies in the first 13 holes before a faltering finish left him one stroke behind the pace-setting Kenny Perry.
Piercy hopes he can draw on happy memories from 2007 when he birdied five of the last six holes to triumph at the made-for-television, winner-take-all Ultimate Game tournament in his hometown of Las Vegas.
"When it's hot in the kitchen, I like to be there," he said after firing a five-under-par 66 for an 11-under total of 202 at the TPC Scottsdale.
"I just have a knack for being around the lead and, when I get there, I really enjoy being there and thrive on it.
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