Tyrrell Hatton won the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday’s dramatic final day as Rory McIlroy raced away to finish fourth.
Hatton, who is likely to be part of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup team later this year, continued his strong performance from last week’s Team Cup, winning his first Rolex Series title since 2021.
The 33-year-old overturned last night’s one-shot deficit over leader Daniel Hillier with a thrilling finish to take a one-stroke victory with a tournament total of 15 under.
“It feels great. I said earlier this week that this is one of the events I want to have on my resume. This is a very iconic event on the DP World Tour,” said Hatton, who will compete in the LIV Golf League. said.
“To be able to add my name to the list of great champions in front of me and to see my name on that trophy is a dream come true.
“I was pretty nervous on the back nine. Maybe I was hoping for a little too much. I knew where I was. I was a little hesitant at the end, but watching that putt go in… It was a great feeling. I’m really happy to have won. ”
Image: 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic final leaderboard
Hutton and Hillier recorded bogey and birdie respectively, so Hutton was unable to advance in the first four holes.
The key moment of the day came on the fifth hole, when Hillier fell into the rough and needed a few chips to get out of trouble. On the first chip, he touched the ball again with his swing, but this did not count as another shot, confusing Hatton.
“I actually thought the score was wrong! He hit a double on a chip shot and thought it was an extra shot. And then they told me before the 13th and I said, ‘Oh, not one. I thought I had two clear,’” he said. Said.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Tyrrell Hatton won the Dubai Desert Classic by one stroke to claim his fifth Rolex Series title.
Hutton birdied No. 5 and Hillier made his second bogey of the day, giving Hatton the lead. Hillier regained his form with consecutive birdies and started the back nine to within one lead, but both players made bogey on the 12th hole.
Hillier birdied the final hole and forced Hatton to make the winning putt from almost 5 feet, which he made, becoming the fifth British golfer to win the Dubai Desert Classic.
Image: Tyrrell Hatton wins his first Hero Dubai Desert Classic
McIlroy drops to 4th place
McIlroy was unable to repeat last year’s heroics when he won from a 10-stroke deficit, settling for fourth place with Nikas Norgaard behind Hatton, Hillier and Rory Canter.
An unimpressive opening two days was costly for McIlroy, who ended 2024 on a high, winning the Dubai Desert Classic title four times, including the past two years.
Sunday’s 6-under 66 was three strokes better than his next best round of the week, and he made five birdies on the back nine to finish just three strokes behind Hatton to move from 12th to fourth place. That was enough.
Image: Rory McIlroy fails to win third consecutive Dubai Desert Classic
“There was just too much to do in three days,” said McIlroy, who had his 12th consecutive top-10 finish at the tournament. “I had chances and I was burning the edges. Even if I didn’t get anything, I put pretty good putts. I felt like I was able to do it,” he said.
“I don’t think I played all that different than the last few days, just kept a few putts and made some good ups and downs when I needed to.
“I feel gradually better as the week goes on, which bodes well for the coming weeks.”
McIlroy will next play in the Boston Common Golf Team’s match against Jupiter Links at the TGL on January 27th, before heading to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from January 30th to February 2nd, with both events on Sky Sports. It will be broadcast live.
Book your round at the lowest price on one of 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland
What’s next for TGL?
The next TGL matches will see New York Golf Club take on Atlanta Drive GC on January 22nd (starting at 12am BST) before Jupiter Links GC take on Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf on January 27th. (starts at 11:30 p.m.).
Los Angeles GC’s next match against Boston Common Golf is on Wednesday 5th February (starting at 2am), with all matches for the 2025 and 2026 seasons to be broadcast live exclusively on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Majors, and more now.
Book your round at the lowest price on one of 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland
