From Teegate to Treegate, we finally reached a satisfying conclusion. The most spectacular of the Dubai Desert Classic weekends concluded in a manner that was entirely fitting.
Rory McIlroy won his third Desert Classic championship and his first tournament of 2023. The world’s number one has strengthened his position. Even at this early stage, it is difficult to deny that McIlroy will arrive at Augusta National in April with his best opportunity to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam.
However, Magnolia Lane can wait. This tournament began with an altercation between McIlroy and Patrick Reed. The competition culminated in the same couple jousting for the trophy.
When McIlroy’s role as the unofficial voice of golf’s establishment against the rebel LIV tour, of which Reed is a member, is taken into account, it became clear that this victory signified more than a prestigious prize.
“Yes, I wanted to win,” McIlroy stated. “Was there more motivation because of who was on top? Absolutely. But ultimately, I want to win for myself. I desire to win for the sake of my legacy and to leave my stamp on the game.
So it’s nice that there is a secondary benefit to my victory rather than someone else’s. Nonetheless, I am primarily focused on accomplishing this for myself.
“Today was quite mentally taxing. I felt that I may have let my emotions interfere. I wasted a great deal of mental energy attempting to concentrate on myself and on shooting a score and attempting to reach a certain number.”
Reed’s third-round identification of his ball within the branches of a palm tree had attracted notice. If Reed had supplanted McIlroy, we would hear far more about that. Instead, McIlroy defended his teammate in public.
“If it had been anyone else, it wouldn’t be a big deal, right?” McIlroy said. “I found it acceptable. Kev Feeney is an extremely experienced referee, and he won’t make any mistakes.
Had it been anyone else in the field, it would have been a non-issue; nevertheless, due to certain events in the past, people brought up some issues, which is perhaps in some ways unfair. What it is, it is. I have defended Patrick in several controversies.”
Reed is aware that social media is casting aspersions, but he says he did nothing wrong on Sunday’s 17th hole. The 2018 Masters champion stated, “I examined via binoculars, recognized every golf ball, and explained my markings to the rules official.” “He examined it and identified it in the same manner that I did.”
McIlroy labored for much of this last round to gain momentum. Reed was inspired, advancing to a one-shot lead after McIlroy bogeyed the 15th; he had started three shots behind. Reed’s first bogey of the day, at hole 16, restored parity before McIlroy delivered what appeared to be the decisive blow with a birdie on the penultimate hole.
The subsequent events saw McIlroy salvage glory from the clutches of doom. McIlroy lost the 2022 Desert Classic last year on the 72nd hole. As his automobile approached the pond, another agonizing conclusion appeared certain. On the par-five, McIlroy was only able to extend his ball 100 yards after it stopped short of the water but in a perilous lie.
Reed’s birdie in the group ahead required McIlroy to match that score to avoid a playoff. The 33-year-old jumped with unabashed pleasure when his 15-foot putt curled into the cup. Reed’s score of 65 and 18 under par was defeated by McIlroy’s 68 and 19 under par.
McIlroy responded, “I don’t want to be disrespectful to everyone else who played this week,” when asked what percentage he felt he was playing at. “I could significantly improve.
To be able to win when you’re not at your best is the Holy Grail of what we’re trying to do, which is the most pleasing aspect of my performance this week.
At 16 under, Lucas Herbert finished in third place. Given that he shot a seven on the last hole, Ian Poulter’s sixth-place finish would have been stinging. Henrik Stenson blew past the competition with a 64 to tie for sixth place.
McIlroy was again the darling of Dubai as Poulter, Stenson, Reed, and the LIV contingent went for this week’s event in Saudi Arabia. The fragmented world of golf appeared vastly superior.
