Shubhankar slips, China's Haotong holds off McIlroy

Shubhankar Sharma was unable to turn on the magic that he showed on the back nine in the first two days and managed only a 73 to sign off Tied 61 at Omega Dubai Desert Classic here today.
Shubhankar had two bogeys against just one birdie, on 11th, as against at least three birdies on each of the first three days.
But he did have the satisfaction of playing all four rounds at both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and carry that confidence to Malaysia next week.
Meanwhile, Li Haotong produced a late burst of scoring to hold off the challenge from Rory McIlroy and win his second European Tour title after a thrilling final-day battle.

The Chinese entered the final day a shot clear of McIlroy but trailed by two after ten holes as the four-time Major winner looked on track for a third victory at Emirates Golf Club here.
Li then birdied four of his last six holes to sign for a closing 69 and get to a record low event total of 23-under par, beating the Northern Irishman by a single stroke.

His stunning finish under incredible pressure further cemented his reputation as one of the European Tour's great clutch performers, following on from a closing 63 at last season's Open Championship and a fourth-round 64 to win on home soil at the 2016 Volvo China Open.

"Especially the first few holes, I was quite nervous," said Li.
"The first hole I made bogey and got to come back really quick, which was good. I think most of the time, only two or one behind, so I just want to keep pulling myself in a position and just don't go too far away."
The win moves him alongside countryman Ashun Wu as China's most prominent winners on the European Tour and he becomes the first Chinese player to break into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
England's Tyrrell Hatton produced a closing 66 to finish at 20 under, a shot clear of Frenchman Alexander Levy and three ahead of countryman Chris Paisley.

Levy carded a 70 with Paisley signing for a 69, while Scot Richie Ramsay produced the lowest score of the day with a 64 to sit in a group of 13 players at 16 under that also included European Number One Tommy Fleetwood.