McIlroy disappointed with one shot loss in Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy has revealed that he is feeling “disappointed” after finishing second in the Dubai Desert Classic tournament, losing to China’s Li Haotong by only one shot, according to a report on the Belfast Telegraph.
McIlroy had a two-shot lead over his opponent with only eight holes remaining but threw the lead away to finish one shot behind the 22-year-old Chinese player.
Haotong birdied four of the last six holes to win by a stroke on 23-under par, leaving McIlroy frustrated with yet another close loss.
He said:
Being in the positions I’ve been in and having two close calls the first couple of weeks of the year, it’s a little difficult.
The competitor in me is very disappointed right now. I wanted to win. I always want to win, and I just didn’t do enough when I needed to.
McIlroy made a strong start to the tournament and was playing well throughout the event but fell just short of victory at the final stage. The Irishman still can’t understand how he let the victory slip through his fingers.
McIlroy admitted that maybe his decision-making and mental focus cost him the win but was first to congratulate Haotong on a famous victory, making him the first Chinese player to break into the top 50 players in the world.
McIlroy now turns his focus to next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tournament as he looks for his first win since returning to action after a three-month break.