McIlroy blossoms in the desert
Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy held his nerve to win a first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic by one stroke from Englishman Justin Rose.
The 19-year-old carded a final round two-under-par 70 to finish at 19 under and seal a wire-to-wire victory as Rose fell just short after five under 67 at Emirates Golf Club.
McIlroy led by six with six to play after reeling off four straight birdies from the ninth but three bogeys in three holes saw Rose move to within one of his playing partner standing on the final tee.
Former Order of Merit winner Rose had a chance to force at least a play-off with a 15-foot birdie putt at the last but missed allowing McIlroy to roll home a four-foot par putt.
The win elevates McIlroy to 14th in the world and makes him the seventh youngest winner in European Tour history.
Dubai-based Swede 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.
