Weary Rory can’t halt Donald double

THE final round of what became his last event of the season could not come quickly enough for a weary looking Rory McIlroy.

The Holywood man has withdrawn from this week’s Asian Tour season-ending Thailand Championship citing doctor’s orders and instead will remain and rest in Dubai.

McIlroy’s quest to deny Luke Donald an historic money list title on both sides of the Atlantic faded with the Arabian sunset as the Englishman finished third to secure the Race to Dubai title to add to his PGA Tour crown in America.

The 34-year old Donald, who was soon embraced by his caddying brother, Christian, dedicated the effort to the memory of his late father, Colin who passed away last month.

“My father popped into my head quite a few times, especially after 13 when I kind of knew I had won the Race to Dubai. I just starting remembering him and thinking he would have been proud of me,” said Donald.

“Christian then met me in the scorer’s hut and said, ‘well done, and that Dad would have been really proud. Well down for doing it for Dad’.”

Donald said of the historic double worth over € 9.3m: “It’s something I didn’t think was possible. I played extremely solid, consistent golf all year winning four times and playing right at the right moments.

“I think it is testament to my hard work and it’s nice to see it paying off. Success breeds more success. Any time you are doing well, you are able to feed off that.”

Donald knows there will be critics out there who insist he isn’t deserving of the top ranking because he hasn’t won a Major. For them, Donald said the time will come.

“Obviously that is something that is missing from my resume, a major,” he said.

“I feel like this year, I’ve done everything but win a major and I’m excited about 2012. I’m excited to bring these memories, these experiences to the majors and hopefully that will help me and get me in contention and give me a chance to get my first major.”

Spain’s Alvaro Quiros sensationally holed a 40-foot eagle at the last to win in Dubai and also become the first player to win the ‘Dubai Double’ after capturing the Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the year.

Quiros carded a final round 67 to win by two strokes with a 19-under par tally to finish sixth on the Race to Dubai and up from 52nd to 21st and one place ahead of Tiger Woods on the World Rankings.

McIlroy again had his new girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki supporting a forlorn final round cause, and she walked the full 18 holes with her parents and brother along with McIlroy’s parents.

McIlroy ends his fourth full season second on the Race to Dubai with earnings of €4,002,168 after carding a third straight 71 for a share of 11th place at nine under par with good friend Graeme McDowell who recorded a 66.

After carding a 64 on day one to ignite hopes of denying Donald, McIlroy could only muster two birdies on day four.

“I just couldn’t get anything going when I needed to and to play a nine-hole stretch on Friday night and Saturday morning in 5-over par wasn’t good,” said McIlroy. “That’s when the tournament got away from me.”

Shane Lowry was best of the six Irish, producing a final round 70 to share eighth on 11-under par and finish 41st on the Race to Dubai. McDowell, who moves from 14th to 13th on the world rankings, was heading home to Orlando in the company of American girlfriend, Kristin before returning back to Portrush for Christmas with his family.

Michael Hoey signed for a 73 and a share of 54th while Darren Clarke was last in 57th with a 76 for an 11-over par tally. And Peter Lawrie produced a last day 73 for a share of 51st.