Rory McIlroy was well aware of who was following him and finally caught him at the Dubai Desert Classic on Monday. This is what made the 72nd green more emotional.
Patrick Reed, the LIV Golfer, birdied his final hole to tie McIlroy, who Reed’s attorney subpoenaed for Christmas Eve. Rory, who is the highest-ranked golfer in the country and LIV’s most antagonistic player on the PGA Tour, needed a birdie in order to avoid a playoff against McIlroy.
McIlroy hit his third shot from within 14 feet after a shot on 18 that almost missed the water. For the win , McIlroy drained, one of the most satisfying putts in his career.
McIlroy, a Jupiter resident, said that today’s mental round was one of the most difficult. It would be easy to let emotions get in the way. “I had to focus on me and not on anyone else. Forget about who was on the leaderboard. I did that really, really well.
This is what caused this emotion.
Reed met McIlroy Tuesday at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai for a friendly chat. Reed seemed surprised that McIlroy did not welcome him the first time they had met since Rory learned that Reed was being sued. McIlroy moved away from Reed as he placed his left hand on McIlroy’s back. As he was walking away, Reed took out a tee and tossed it in McIlroy’s direction. It was a LIV shirt.
Later, Reed called McIlroy “an immature little child.”
McIlroy stated that he had to keep it all in one place today and was finally able “to let it all out on 18th green.” “It was hard for me to forget all the people up there, and just focus on me.
This finish could only have been possible thanks to the golf gods.
With the rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour still hot, golf could see another season of entertaining back-and-forth rhetoric. Phil Mickelson, a distant observer, tweeted a sarcastic comment about Rory’s playing position.
Great -7 third round by @McIlroyRory DUBAI to give him a 3 shot lead. Check out his final round. You can watch the final round live from the Middle East via the golf channel.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson January 29, 2023
Mickelson is the face for the league, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The Dubai Desert Classic featured LIV and PGA Tour players, which was a rarity. The Masters will be the next tournament in which golfers from both organizations compete.
