Rory McIlroy already focused on the Masters after ‘week of what could have been’ in Dubai

McIlroy mustered a blemish-free opening stretch and a fine 65 in total, which left him on 15 under-par, in a tie for sixth. When all was said and done, he ended up four shots off the winner Danny Willett, writes John McAuley.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on after his birdie on the 15th hole during the final round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club on February 7, 2016 in Dubai, United ArabShow more

DUBAI // Just as it was in Abu Dhabi a few weeks back, Rory McIlroy departed the Omega Dubai Desert Classic with another case of what might have been.

The world No 2, defending champion this week, mounted a late surge at a third Coffee Pot trophy on Sunday, but was ultimately outdone by his struggles with the Majlis front nine in Rounds 2 and 3.

Photo gallery: Rory McIlroy falls short as Danny Willett wins Dubai Desert Classic – in pictures

After heading into the final day eight shots back, McIlroy mustered a blemish-free opening stretch and a fine 65 in total, which left him on 15 under-par, in a tie for sixth. When all was said and done, he ended up four shots off winner Danny Willett.

So McIlroy leaves the UAE with a few close calls – he was tied-third at last month's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – and a few extra euros in the bank, but crucially, no new title.

“It’s sort of a week of what could have been,” McIlroy said. “There was a lot of really good golf in there. I played a lot of great shots and made a lot of birdies, but just made a few too many mistakes, as well.

“I’ll rue the two front nines on Friday and Saturday. Played the combined front nine 5-over par there and if I had not of done that, things could have been different.”

They most probably would have. On reflection, McIlroy feels his driving and putting are areas that require a little polishing, but that everything else in between stands in decent shape.

It almost made for a successful defence. By the 16th hole Sunday, McIlroy had rattled off seven birdies, with a solitary bogey on 12, and promptly anticipated a crack at the lead. However, the grandstand finish never materialised.

“I felt even after I birdied 15, that if I could finish with three threes, you never know what can happen,” he said. “Wasn’t able to quite do that.”

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Visibly disappointed, McIlroy was soon preparing for an overnight flight to Florida, where the home comforts of his own bed and a week’s work of practice to look forward to would temper the frustration.

It would also help him get set for a run of five tournaments in six weeks Stateside. That stint culminates, of course, at the Masters on April 10.

“It will be good, starting over there with three really good, tough events with Riviera, Honda and Doral,” McIlroy said.

“The scoring is relatively tough in those three tournaments, so I’m looking forward to getting into that. Obviously then it’s the run up to Augusta, so it’s an exciting part of the golf season ahead.

“It’s been nice to shake the rust off these last couple of weeks. It gives me a good understanding of what I need to do going into the next few weeks. It’s been a real helpful exercise in that way, although it would have been nice to come away with a win.”

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