McIlroy third in Abu Dhabi
Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy finished third at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship after a closing round of 67.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
McIlroy narrowly missed out to playing partner Martin Kaymer of Germany who birdied the last whole for a 21 under par total.
He failed to hole enough putts on the front nine with both Kaymer and Poulter stretching away at the turn, but the Holywood man hot four birdies on the way home.
Despite pressure from McIlroy in the closing stages Kaymer managed to birdie the last to rule out any chance of being caught, and win the tournament for a second time.
Kaymer and Poulter are now both into the world's top 10 for the first time after finishing first and second in Abu Dhabi.
Kaymer climbs all the way from 14th to sixth and is now the second highest European in the rankings after Lee Westwood, who stays fourth despite missing the halfway cut.
Poulter improves from 12th to 10th just ahead of McIlroy, who drops one spot despite being third in his first start of the season.
McIlroy will defend his title at the Dubai Desert Classic in February.
Darren Clarke, meanwhile, carded a final round of 72 to finish the week at three under par.
Ireland's Shane Lowry shot a five under par round of 67 to finish the tournament in fourth place.
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