Intro:

World number one Rory McIlroy shot a final round 70 to win the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday (1st February), finishing on 22 under par, three shots clear of Sweden's Alex Noren and six clear of two-time defending champion Stephen Gallacher.

Script:

Rory McIlroy was the man to catch in Sunday's final round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

The world number one held a four shot lead over Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen and his Ryder Cup teammate Lee Westwood, but as it turned out, neither could mount a challenge.

Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, who was the two-time defending champion, didn't give up his title without a fight and chipped in for birdie at the 12th, the second of three birdies on the bounce.

Gallacher reached 16 under par, but that would be where he would stay and he ended up in third place on his own, six shots behind the winner.

Gallacher was a shot clear of a group of five players on 15 under par, among them Martin Kaymer, who carded the round of the day, an eight under par 64.

Sweden's Alex Noren - back to full fitness after a series of injury setbacks - got closest to McIlroy after returning a seven under par 65.

Noren closed birdie-par-birdie-birdie to get to nineteen under, but that was still three shots short.

McIlroy never really looked like surrendering his advantage, despite going out in a level par 35, which included only his second dropped shot of the week, a four at the par three 7th.

Birdies at the 10th and 13th banished any concerns and a simple tap in for par at the eighteenth brought a standing ovation from the gallery.

McIlroy finished on 22 under par with a four round total of 266, equalling the tournament record score.

It was also his second Dubai Desert Classic title, having won it back in 2009, his first victory as a professional.

In his last seven European Tour events, McIlroy now has four wins and three second places.