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Rory McIlroy overcame a final-round charge from Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in a tense Monday duel between players who were involved in a pre-tournament spat.
The top-ranked McIlroy rolled in a birdie putt from around 15 feet on the 18th hole for a four-under 68 that left him a stroke clear of Reed, who shot 65.
McIlroy’s clutch putt on the 18th avoided a play-off against Reed and landed the £1.23m prize for first place, £435,000 more than the sum on offer for runner-up.
Reed had been embroiled in controversy during yesterday’s third round at the Emirates Golf Club, after insisting he could see his ball lodged in a tree on the 17th despite television pictures showing the ball landing in a different tree.
McIlroy put any distractions to one side as he captured the title for the third time in his career. Victory on Monday means he has also started a year with a win, for the first time in his career.
The Northern Irishman started the round with a three-shot lead – and four ahead of Reed – but was overtaken on the back nine by the American, who picked up seven shots in his first 13 holes.
Reed bogeyed 16 but made birdie at 18 to put pressure on McIlroy, who finished on 19 under overall.
The pair traded verbal blows Wednesday after an interaction at the practice range on Tuesday that saw McIlroy snub Reed, who had gone over to wish the Northern Irishman a happy new year.
Reed walked away before tossing a tee, featuring a logo of his 4 Aces team in the LIV Golf league, in the direction of McIlroy, one of the most vocal critics of the Saudi-run breakaway series.
Reed said it was “unfortunate” that McIlroy didn’t shake his hand and was quoted as describing McIlroy as “an immature little child.”
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