Frustration for Rory as Cabrera-Bello wins

When Rory McIlroy threw his arms into the air at the last hole it was more in frustration than delight despite holing a birdie putt at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy’s final day 71 for a 14-under par tally left him in joint fifth place, four strokes behind Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello who recorded a 68 to beat Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher (69) by a stroke with an 18-under par tally.

McIlroy went straight to Dubai Airport for a short 45-minute flight to Doha, where he’s joining girlfriend Caroline Wozinacki who is contesting the Qatar Open.

The Irishman, who has been bumped back to world number three behind Westwood, will spend a week in the Qatari capital before going to Arizona for the €6.4m WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship.

“I’m a little disappointed considering the position I was in going to the weekend,” he said.

“I just got frustrated on the green but I’m more pleased how I drove the ball today. I sorted that out on the range, and in speaking to Michael [Bannon –coach], because I must have hit balls for maybe an hour-and-a-half so that was nice to sort out.”

Dubliner Peter Lawrie returned home after holing a two-foot birdie putt at the last to share 28th place on seven under par before his next event, the Andalucian Open on March 15.

“I played nicely for nearly all the week but today struggled a bit because I drove the ball poorly and then it was difficult to hit good shots into greens,” he said.

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin went in the opposite direction to the Avantha Masters in India after a round of 70 to tie with Lawrie.

Damien McGrane is also off to India following his 72 and shared 42nd place at four under par while Shane Lowry played a disappointing last day in the company of double Major winning, Mark O’Meara, shooting a 77 to end at level par.