Li Holds off McIlroy to Seal Victory in Dubai

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Li Haotong produced a late burst of scoring to hold off the challenge of Rory McIlroy and win his second European Tour title after a thrilling final-day battle at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The Chinese entered the final day a shot clear of McIlroy but trailed by two after ten holes as the four-time Major winner looked on track for a third victory at Emirates Golf Club and his 14th European Tour title.

Li then birdied four of his last six holes to sign for a closing 69 to beat the Northern Irishman by a single stroke, and record a record low total of 23 under par for this tournament, beating the 22 under par score set by Thomas Bjørn in 2001.

The 22-year-old’s stunning finish further cemented his growing reputation as one of the European Tour's greatest performers under pressure, following on from a closing 63 at last season's Open Championship and a fourth-round 64 to win his maiden title on home soil at the 2016 Volvo China Open.

The win moves him alongside countryman Ashun Wu as China's most prominent winners on the European Tour and he becomes the first Chinese player to break into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I think my game is in a good position now. It gives me a lot of confidence back, especially after last week, missing the cut. Just want to be myself and play some decent golf in the future.

“It's incredible to play with him (McIlroy). I learned a lot of experience from him,” said Li

Malaysia’s Gavin Green finished joint 37th with rounds of 70-68-71-69 for total 278.

Final Scores

• 265 H Li (Chn) 66 66 64 69;
• 266 R McIlroy (Nir) 65 64 68 69;
• 268 T Hatton (Eng) 64 72 66 66;
• 269 A Levy (Fra) 67 67 65 70;
• 271 C Paisley (Eng) 65 69 68 69;
• 272 I Poulter (Eng) 68 70 65 69; H Stenson (Swe) 70 64 70 68; T Fleetwood (Eng) 69 69 66 68; D Lipsky (USA) 69 66 67 70; D Frittelli (RSA) 69 67 66 70; R Cabrera Bello (Esp) 69 69 64 70; A Sullivan (Eng) 67 70 63 72; B An (Kor) 72 67 65 68; C Hanson (Eng) 67 70 70 65; J Scrivener (Aus) 70 68 68 66; A Björk (Swe) 65 68 70 69; R Ramsay (Sco) 70 69 69 64; J Wang (Kor) 69 66 67 70;
• 273 H Porteous (RSA) 66 68 65 74; M Jiménez (Esp) 66 68 69 70; M Kaymer (Ger) 68 69 67 69;
• 274 A Wall (Eng) 63 73 72 66; D Horsey (Eng) 63 70 68 73; D Burmester (RSA) 67 69 69 69; A Otaegui (Esp) 70 69 69 66; T Detry (Bel) 68 66 69 71; S Brazel (Aus) 68 70 68 68; A Cañizares (Esp) 67 68 70 69;
• 275 P Perez (USA) 69 69 67 70; T Olesen (Den) 67 68 67 73; A Dodt (Aus) 67 69 68 71;
• 276 S Garcia (Esp) 67 69 69 71; T Immelman (RSA) 69 66 71 70; M Kieffer (Ger) 70 68 68 70; B Wiesberger (Aut) 67 70 70 69; T Pieters (Bel) 65 74 70 67;
• 277 R Wattel (Fra) 69 70 70 68; A Wu (Chn) 68 68 70 71; S Hend (Aus) 71 66 68 72; G Havret (Fra) 70 68 67 72; B Rumford (Aus) 68 70 66 73; B Grace (RSA) 68 65 69 75; M Wallace (Eng) 69 66 73 69; L Jensen (Den) 65 68 70 74;
• 278 E Molinari (Ita) 67 69 69 73; N Bertasio (Ita) 70 69 69 70; R Fisher (Eng) 69 69 69 71; J Donaldson (Wal) 62 69 75 72; G Green (Mas) 70 68 71 69; A Johnston (Eng) 69 66 72 71;
• 279 T Aiken (RSA) 67 67 69 76; S Jamieson (Sco) 68 70 70 71; R Karlsson (Swe) 69 70 68 72; K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 71 68 70 70; A Chesters (Eng) 70 69 67 73; N Colsaerts (Bel) 69 68 68 74;
• 281 M Southgate (Eng) 68 68 71 74; M Ilonen (Fin) 68 70 71 72; S Gallacher (Sco) 71 68 71 71; P Khongwatmai (Tha) 68 71 71 71;
• 282 L Bjerregaard (Den) 71 68 70 73; S Sharma (Ind) 69 69 71 73; M Korhonen (Fin) 68 71 70 73;
• 283 L Slattery (Eng) 69 70 72 72;
• 284 D Im (USA) 68 71 72 73; A Romero (Arg) 70 67 70 77;
• 285 R Sterne (RSA) 70 68 74 73;
• 286 T Clements (am) (Eng) 69 70 71 76;
• 288 D Huizing (Ned) 69 70 77 72;
• ** M Pavon (Fra) 71 68 74 DQ;

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