Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy held his nerve to win a first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic by one stroke from Englishman Justin Rose.
The 19 year old carded a final round two under par 70 to finish at 19 under and so seal a wire to wire victory, as Rose fell just short after a five under par round of 67 at Emirates Golf Club.
McIlroy had led by six strokes with six holes left to play after reeling off four straight birdies from the ninth, but three bogeys in three holes saw Rose move to within one of his playing partner standing on the final tee.
McIlroy admitted that the pressure had made it difficult, saying: “You see guys coming down the stretch with a four or five shot lead, and you think it’s easy – but it’s not. You still have to play the shots, and you still have to hole the putts.
Courtesy of the European Tour / Image: Credit: Getty Images