DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy won the Dubai World Championship by two strokes after shooting a 6-under 66 on Sunday, ending a year in which he won the PGA Championship and the European and PGA tour money titles.
The top-ranked McIlroy overcame early putting woes to finish with five straight birdies in a 23-under 265 at the season-ending tournament to beat Justin Rose of England, who shot a course-record 62.
After Rose eagled the 14th and birdied the 15th to take a two-shot lead, McIlroy responded with birdies on the 14th and 15th to pull even. Rose birdied the 18th after nearly sinking a 60-foot eagle putt to move ahead, only for McIlroy to sink a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 16 before finishing with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18.
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