Rory McIlroy fought off a sensational final-round charge from Patrick Reed when he birdied the last from 15 feet to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the third time and throw down the gauntlet to the pretenders to his world number one crown.

Rory McIlroy carded a brilliant 65 to lead by three shots as he chases his third Hero Dubai Desert Classic win, but Patrick Reed still managed to overshadow the Holywood star with another rules controversy.

Rory McIlroy narrowly avoided being drawn with Patrick Reed and headed straight for the range to iron out the kinks in his long game after a second-round 70 left him two shots off the pace in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The rain might have left the Emirates Golf Club as soggy as a wet day in the midlands, but the sponsors must be licking their lips with Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed locked together ahead of a Monday finish to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Rory McIlroy produced a dramatic birdie-eagle-birdie finish to fire an opening 66 only to be joined in a share of the clubhouse lead by none other than Patrick Reed in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Patrick Reed threw a tee at Rory McIlroy in disgust after the world number one appeared to ignore his efforts to say hello at the Emirates Golf Club, according to reports.

Due to the fact that Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed are unable to fulfil their minimum event obligations for the 2021 season, both have been removed from the 2021 Race to Dubai Rankings.

Rory McIlroy insisted would never bend the rules of golf after the PGA Tour used him to paint Patrick Reed in a favourable light during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Rory McIlroy insisted last night that he had never tried to "get away with anything" regarding the Rules of Golf after becoming embroiled in the Patrick Reed embedded ball fiasco in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Rory McIlroy suffered another final round reverse as his driver let him down and he failed to raise a gallop in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Rory McIlroy was pleasantly surprised to find himself just three strokes behind Carlos Ortiz and a controversial Patrick Reed in the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla near San Diego.

Rory McIlroy insists his confidence is on the rise after he regained his driving mojo and opened with a four-under 68 in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Lee Westwood claimed the Race to Dubai for the third time and insisted he would give his all for Pádraig Harrington if he qualifies for an 11th Ryder Cup cap at Whistling Straits next year.

Bryson DeChambeau suggested only "the Gods" know if his "bomb and gouge" strategy will yield a US Open win but Rory McIlroy may need some divine intervention to end his six-year major drought after crashing to a second-round 76 at a punishing Winged Foot.