Bourdy holds off McIlroy for win

Gregory Bourdy held off a spirited challenge from new Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots today.

Defending a two shot overnight lead from Robert-Jan Derksen, Bourdy dropped just one shot in a conservative three-under-par 67 to finish at 19 under overall to claim his third European Tour title.

The 27-year-old, who last won in Estoril in 2008, also secured his place at the season-ending Dubai World Championship with his seventh professional victory also propelling him into the top 100 in the world.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until the 18th green so I didn’t know McIlroy played well. I wanted to stay focused on my game and play shot by shot and I knew if I played two, three or four under it was OK and I made it,” said Bourdy.

“Dubai was a big objective and a big motivation. I needed to win and I did it, it’s so great.”

McIlroy began the final day five adrift of Bourdy but stormed firmly into contention with five gains in six holes at the start of his back nine.

But a furious McIlroy three-putted his penultimate green following a wayward approach for his only blemish of the final day and was forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish at Hong Kong Golf Club following a six-under-par 64.

But with Lee Westwood struggling this week and finishing tied for 54th at one-under-par following a final round 74, McIlroy heads to Dubai in pole position to win the Order of Merit in just his second full season as a professional.

“I played lovely, really, really well. I thought I needed a low one and went out with the mindset that if I went lower than 65 then I might have a chance but Gregory obviously played very well,” said McIlroy.

“I am a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race to Dubai.

“There is a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and I have come up just short again, for the second year in a row. But I gave it my best shot and that is all I can do.”

Francesco Molinari, who also lost out in last year’s play-off alongside McIlroy, finished with back-to-back birdies as he also dropped just one shot in a final round 64 to finish tied for third alongside Derksen (68) at 16 under.

Singapore Open champion Ian Poulter (64) and Raphael Jacquelin (64) finished five back tied for fifth with Peter Lawrie a further shot adrift following a three-under 67.

Simon Dyson (66) claimed eighth at 12-under-par with Scott Strange (66) and David Dixon, who secured his card for next season with a three under 67, rounding out the top 10.