Round-up day four – DP World Tour Championship
As expected, it was an enthralling finish to one of the most awaited tournaments of the season. The Race to Dubai finally ended with Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai.
The world number one continued his magnificent run of form and carded the second consecutive round of 66.
It has been a phenomenal year for the Irishman, wining the tour money lists on the both sides of the Atlantic, as well as winning the PGA Championship.
Once again, McIlroy was slow to start off, as Donald took the early ascendency. However, just like the previous round, Rory turned things around on the back nine.
The man from Belfast carded five straight birdies on the back nine to fend off the challenge from Justin Rose.
"I could not have wished for any better. To back up 2011 with another Major and to be part of an unbelievable story at the Ryder Cup has made it an incredible year," said McIlroy, after his victory.
"But hopefully I can emulate it or do even better next year!"
Rory’s desire has finally earned him his reward. This was one title he desperately wanted to win and he finally succeeded in doing that.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling – I said I wanted to win both trophies this week and that is exactly what I’ve managed to do even though I didn’t get off to the best of starts with a bogey on the first”.
He continued, “I knew I needed to do something special over the closing few holes - I really couldn’t have wished for a better ending”.
Luke Donald could not continue his bogey free run at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, as he carded an average one-under, 71 on a day when he needed to step up his game.
The world number two bogeyed the 3rd and the 12th hole, as he could not score birdies during the later stages of the round.
However, the round of the day was carded by Justin Rose. The Englishman set a new course record by shooting 10-under, 62, and gave Rory a bit of a headache during the later stages of the day.
Rose carded eight birdies and an eagle on the 14th to give himself a decent chance of winning the tournament.
Probably, the shot of the match can also be credited to him, as he made a mammoth effort for an eagle putt on the last hole. Justin’s second shot landed on the green but it was yards away from the pin.
It was an up and down putt, which Rose judged to perfection. The moment he hit that putt, it seemed as if he had made a mess of it.
The ball appeared to have stopped on the hill but, with crowd off their seats and cheering, the ball started its journey downhill and stopped a millimeter away from the pin.
The shot had everybody jumping and screaming off their seats. If the ball had gone in, he might have won the tournament but he had to settle for a birdie in the end.
Nevertheless, it was a round and a shot which will be remembered for a long time.
South African, Charl Schwartzel carded four-under for the day, as he improved on further. The world number 28 came back after a rib injury and his performance suggested that he is getting back into his old rhythm.
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