McIlroy Stumbles in Final Round After Promising Start
Rory McIlroy's hopes of a win at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship were dashed after a costly error in the final round. Despite a strong start that saw him briefly take the lead, McIlroy's game unraveled on the back nine, ultimately ending his chances of victory.
Missed Putt Proves Costly for McIlroy
The turning point came on the par-3 15th hole, where McIlroy's tee shot found the greenside bunker. His bunker shot left him with a makeable par putt, but the putt lipped out, leading to a bogey. This error proved costly, as it dropped him down the leaderboard and out of contention.
Frustration Mounts as McIlroy Struggles to Recover
Visibly frustrated, McIlroy was unable to recover from the setback. He carded another bogey on the 16th hole, further solidifying his fate. While he managed to birdie the 18th hole, it was too little, too late for the golfer.
McIlroy Reflects on Missed Opportunity
After the round, McIlroy expressed disappointment in his performance. "I just didn't make the putts when I needed to," he admitted. He acknowledged the missed opportunity, stating, "I had a chance to win, and I didn't get it done."
Looking Ahead: McIlroy Remains Optimistic
Despite the disappointing finish, McIlroy remains optimistic about the rest of the season. He emphasized the positives from his game, particularly his strong driving and iron play. With the Masters Tournament on the horizon, McIlroy will be looking to learn from this experience and return to winning form.