Rory McIlroy rues late collapse at Dubai Desert Classic as he bogeys the 18th hole while tied for the lead, before Viktor Hovland beats Richard Bland in playoff
- Rory McIlroy finished third at the Dubai Desert Classic after final round of 71
- Northern Irishman was tied for the lead at the 18th hole but bogeyed it
- Viktor Hovland won tournament after beating Richard Bland in a playoff
- Norwegian birdied the first playoff hole, while Bland missed a birdie putt
Rory McIlroy was left ruing a late mistake as he finished third at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday after bogeying the 18th hole.
Chasing a third title in Dubai, the Northern Irishman finished one shot adrift of winner Viktor Hovland after shooting 71 in the final round.
The Norwegian claimed his third victory in five events by beating Richard Bland in a playoff after both players had finished on 12-under par.
Rory McIlroy fell just short of winning the Dubai Desert Classic for a third time on Sunday
The Northern Irishman was tied for the lead at the 18th but his approach found the water
Hovland birdied the 18th – the first playoff hole – at Emirates Golf Club, while Bland missed a birdie putt from the left side of the green.
Tied for the lead with Hovland and Bland heading to the 18th hole, McIlroy sent his approach shot into the water.
He recovered brilliantly to give himself a chance of joining Hovland and Bland in the playoff, only for his par putt to brush the edge of the cup as he closed with a bogey.
Earlier, the 32-year-old had needed a sensational rescue act at the par-four 17th after finding the bushes off the tee. He managed to scramble out of the bushes and then found the green with a brilliant third shot.
Viktor Hovland (left) won the tournament after beating Richard Bland in a playoff on Sunday
He carded a final round of 66, which included two birdies and an eagle in the final three holes
He converted his par putt to remain tied at the top of the leaderboards going into the final hole, only to fall frustratingly short of victory.
Hovland, meanwhile, had erased a six-shot deficit and soared to the top of the leaderboard after carding a final round of 66, which included two birdies and an eagle in his final three holes.
The Norwegian drained a 35-footer to birdie the 16th, before needing just two shots to find the cup at the following hole and carding another birdie at the 18th.
Bland birdied the 17th to join Hovland and McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard, before draining a 25-footer birdie putt at the last to force a playoff.
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