Rory McIlroy is feeling confident of extending his record with a fifth victory at the Dubai Desert Classic after he came up just short of a win at the Dubai Invitational despite a birdie barrage on the back nine.
McIlroy began the round three shots behind eventual winner Nacho Elvira and that gap doubled after a birdie and two bogeys in his opening seven holes. But the grand slam winner ran the tables with five birdies in a row from the ninth to claim a share of the lead on nine-under.
However, as Shane Lowry broke free from the logjam with a birdie on 15 to reach ten-under, McIlroy’s hopes of a 21st DP World Tour win were dashed with a closing bogey and he settled for third place on eight-under, two shots behind Elvira on eight-under.
Despite using the week as a warm up, he was pleased to be involved at the business end of the tournament.
“I tried to get the most out of what I had. I didn’t get off to the best of starts but I hit a couple of good tee shots into the 8th, 9th and converted and then hit some really good shots after that and converted some putts.
“I wasn’t really focused on winning the tournament, I was just trying to piece it together and make some good swings which I did for the most part. It would have been nice to hit the fairway on the last and give myself a chance for birdie there but overall it was a good first week back I felt like I learned a lot about my game. I wasn’t very sharp but hopefully I’m sharper going into next week.”
Heading to the Emirates Golf Club where he has won four times in his career, McIlroy is pleased with his short game but knows he must tidy up his ball striking if he is to contend.
“I need to hit a few more fairways. Don’t feel like I am swinging the club that badly. I was hitting driver a lot mainly for practice. Next week at the Emirates it’s important to get the ball in the fairway and give yourself chances from there. Distance control I figured out as the week went on but short game and putting felt good which is a really good sign and just tidy up the ball striking and I will be right there next week.”
Leave a comment