McIlroy wins first title in Dubai

FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-20 R McIlroy (NI) -19 J Rose (Eng) -17 H Stenson (Swe) -16 M Kaymer (Ger), P Casey (Eng), R Karlsson (Swe)
Selected others: -13 L Oosthuizen (SA), M Jimenez (Spa) -12 S Garcia (Spa) -11 R Fisher (Eng), C Montgomerie (Sco) -10 O Wilson (Eng)
Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard

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The win in Dubai sees McIlroy move up to 16th in the world rankings

Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy claimed his maiden professional tournament win with a nervy victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 19-year-old had led by six strokes, but Justin Rose moved to within one shot coming onto the final hole.

The Englishman narrowly missed a birdie putt to force a play-off on the 18th, with McIlroy saving par for the win.

He closed with a two-under par 70 for a total of 19-under, while Rose carded 67 to secure second place.

The win elevates McIlroy to 13th in the world rankings, while it also makes him the seventh youngest winner in European Tour history.

Since turning pro in 2007, McIlroy came close to victory in the European Masters and this season's Hong Kong Open but lost both in a play-off.

And it appeared that nerves might have got the better of him once more in Dubai.

606: DEBATE This boy has got the lot beachendcentre

After leading from the very first day it looked as though he would cruise to victory having led by six strokes with just six to play.

However, three bogeys saw Rose close the gap before the drama on the final hole.

After completing his third round 67 at the fog-affected event on Sunday morning, McIlroy got off to a blistering start to his final round with three birdies.

That gave him a five-stroke cushion and a double-bogey at six proved to be just a blip as none of his main rivals could capitalise.

The former world number one amateur added five straight birdies from the ninth to move clear again, but playing partner Rose applied the pressure with an eagle at the 13th and a birdie at 17.

At the par-five final hole a nervous-looking McIlroy pitched his third into the bunker, while Rose landed his approach 15-feet from the hole.

But when Rose narrowly failed to make his birdie, McIlroy got up and down for par sinking a four-footer for

Sweden's Henrik Stenson (67) finished third at 17 under, with Robert Karlsson (65), Martin Kaymer (67) and Paul Casey (68) a further shot adrift in fifth.

In-form South African Louis Oosthuizen, who had been in contention for much of the tournament, could only manage a 74 which left him tied for seventh place.

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