Watch: Rory Mcllroy reacts to question about Patrick Reed feud
Rory McIlroy came into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on top of the leaderboard but has teegate rival Patrick Reed among a chasing pack which also includes England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury.
Leading the weather-affected DP Tour event on Sunday, McIlroy made a late mistake when he found the water on the 18th hole, but he still carried a three-shot lead into this final round over Shinkwin and Bradbury, with LIV Golf rebels Reed and Ian Poulter among a seven-strong group a further shot back at the start of the day.
McIlroy and Reed were at the centre of a public fallout last week when the Northern Irishman ignored the American at the driving range in Dubai. Reed flicked a tee towards McIlroy and later described him as “an immature little child”.
Follow all the latest scores and leaderboard moves below as McIlroy tries to clinch victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Dubai Desert Classic final round
McIlroy drains the birdie, a two-shot lead.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 08:00
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Poulter from 240 and on the green in two at the 10th, huge chance to make a leap.
An eagle would bring him to a tie for the lead.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:55
Dubai Desert Classic final round
169 yards for McIlroy on the ninth… an eight iron only.
He likes it, pin high and maybe eight feet… A glorious chance to carve out daylight and seize momentum back.
A perfect approach, the safe side of the hole too. Patience key here, he can’t let Reed catch him and go past him in the manner Cameron Smith did at the Open last year.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:53
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Rory safely in for par, but Reed with a sensational par on nine.
A real tester and he goes to the turn -3 for the day, a massive move for the villain of ‘teegate’.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:51
Dubai Desert Classic final round
Rory McIlroy with the big stick on the par four ninth, it’s 488 yards…
A baby fade and that one is bombed down and in the middle of the fairway, position A you could say for the leader.
Latest Dubai Desert Classic odds
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:44
Rory McIlroy’s birdie wait goes on – Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy’s biride try on eight is short, it’s another PAR.
Eight consecutive, he’s only gone through the front nine five times in his career here without a birdie or better.
Three of those have come in the final round.
Reed’s second from 196 yards on nine is horrid, in the thicker stuff and over the water, he’ll need to show immense strength to get through this and not avoid a lengthy run off.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:38
Rory McIlroy carves out birdie chance – Dubai Desert Classic
McIlroy with a stunning iron into eight, he’ll have about 10 feet to move to -16.
Oooh, nasty for Reed on nine and the 488-yard par four, it bleeds into the right rough just shy of the bunker, “God damn,” cries the American.
Look out for Lucas Herbert on the 11th with a birdie chip maybe from the fringe, he’s in a tie with Poulter for third and two back at -13.
Poulter lets a birdie try on the 9th drift by, a tester for par to stay two back, maybe eight feet.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:33
Rory McIlroy chased by LIV Golf stars Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter at Dubai Desert Classic
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:31
Patrick Reed short game helps close to within one shot of Rory McIlroy – Dubai Desert Classic
If Reed is to win, then it will be his short game that takes him to and beyond McIlroy.
Delightful hands on display in the Middle East already this morning.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:21
Patrick Reed leads charge to close in on Rory McIlroy – Dubai Desert Classic
Reed is the lowest of the chasing pack in the fourth round and currently -3, with Min Woo Lee and Matthew Jordan also -3 but out of contention and five back at -10.
Jack Rathborn30 January 2023 07:17