Viktor Hovland produced a spectacular finish to win the DP World Tour’s 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic and $1,333,330 winner's share of the $8,000,000 purse, in a play-off after two-time winner Rory McIlroy blew his chances of a third title on the last hole.
McIlroy had looked to have the tournament within his grasp. He was tied for the lead with Hovland and Bland heading down the 18th hole, only to send his approach shot from 267 yards into the water in front of the green.
That left Viktor Hovland and Richard Bland, who is enjoying a late career renaissance after his victory at last year’s British Masters, to fight it out.
Replaying the 18th hole, Hovland held his nerve and Bland, despite an excellent chip onto the green, was unable to match the Norwegian’s birdie in the playoff, to claim his second DP World Tour title in addition to the 2021 BMW International Open. The former star at Oklahoma State also has three wins on the PGA Tour: the 2020 Puerto Rico Open, 2020 Mayakoba Golf Classic and 2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. Hovland also won December’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
“This is pretty wild. I didn’t really think this was possible going in today,” said Hovland, who started the day six shots off the lead. I knew I had to shoot a really low number but a lot of things had to go my way and I’m thankful that they did.
“I was fuming after the three-putt on 15 and thought that was it and I knew I just had to try to finish off well and get a nice position for the week,” he continued. “I rolled a really long one on 16 and then on 17 and, hey, we got a shot I’m pumping right now. It’s a bit surreal.”
McIlroy finished third at 11 under, followed by five players T-4 at 8 under: Justin Harding, Tyrrell Hatton, Sam Horsfield, Adrian Meronk and Erik van Rooyen.
By: Delroy Constantine-Simms and Dennis Edman
