For a time Sunday, it appeared that Justin Rose would usurp Rory McIlroy and become the surprise winner of the DP World Tour Championship.
During a week of low scoring, the Englishman had saved his best for the final round ?eight birdies and an eagle, a 10-under 62, to smash the course record by two strokes.
And it still wasn뭪 enough to win.
World No. 1 McIlroy closed with five consecutive birdies to win by two strokes at 23 under.
밒 thought I had you @McIlroyRory!?Rose tweeted afterward. 밅lass finish mate to a class year.?/P>
Rose뭩 consolation prize was still substantial. With his runner-up finish in Dubai, the world No. 7 jumped to second in the Race to Dubai, after earning 3,260,635 ($4,231,019) this season.
Eight players had a share of the previous course record at Jumeirah Golf Estates.