Rory McIlroy beats Patrick Reed to win Dubai Desert Classic title in thrilling final round leaderboard

Patrick Reed is indeed safely in for his birdie. He’s in the clubhouse at -18 after a superb final round of 65. A great Monday for the LIV Golf representative.

It’s over to McIlroy now. Par takes us to a play-off but if the Northern Irishman can find a birdie, he’ll win by one.

While McIlroy contemplates his shot from the fringe of the water, up ahead Reed is looking at his 35-foot eagle putt.

Good pace but it’s never on line, he had to tickle it down there and does a decent job. A fairly simple three-footer for birdie. And that would put him back level with McIlroy on -18.

Final group now teeing off on 18. Callum Shinkwin leathers a driver straight down the fairway as he looks to move ahead of Julien Brun from T4 into fourth on his own.

McIlroy also with driver: “Sit! Oh my goodness, sit!” barks a visibly concerned McIlroy. The ball is heading towards the water hazard but mercifully comes up just short of the water. Another couple of rolls and it was wet...

The fringe grass saved it - it’s dry but not necessarily a nice shot into the green. That could have been far, far worse. He’s got away with one.

Reed has 231 yards to the pin from the middle of the 18th fairway. Looks like he’s playing a utility club and it’s a glorious strike. Right over the flagstick and nestles towards the back edge of the green.

A 35-foot eagle putt coming up, with two needed for a birdie that would move him back level with McIlroy. Inspired stuff by the American.

Bit of a disaster for Ian Poulter at 18 as he can only double bogey after finding the water. It means he slips from -15 to -13 and from fourth to T6 as it stands. His struggles have also slowed down the Reed and McIlroy groups behind him.

Reed waiting to play his second into the green from the middle of the fairway, while McIlroy is ready on the tee.

Poulter’s playing partner Angel Hidalgo safely in for par and ends the tournament on -12 and T8. Good week for the unheralded Spaniard

IT’S THERE! No problem with the birdie putt for McIlroy and he moves to -18, one stroke ahead of Reed as he heads to 18. Great stuff!

Ok McIlroy, a nice lag putt here for a tap-in birdie would be ideal. It’s probably about 80 feet from the front fringe.

He sets it on its way, looks a little short of pace... Not too bad, probably just inside five feet - a knee knocker for birdie upcoming

Patrick Reed has eagled and birdied the 18th already this week. It’s a par five remember.

He has a bit of a wait while Ian Poulter scrambles his way out of the rough up ahead but finally gets to strike his shot. Poulter found the water with his third shot, incidentally, his hold on fourth position is faltering

It’s a beauty. Crunches the drive down the middle of the fairway, A1 position for Reed - prime location to find the green in two and give himself an eagle look...

We’re set up for a thrilling finale in Dubai.

McIlroy has driver in hand and is going for this 17th green from the tee. Massive moment here...

Beautiful ball flight and it’s right on line, bounces just before the green and rolls into the front fringe. Superb shot from the Northern Irishman - it’s advantage McIlroy now. He can two-putt for biride.

Over to you at 18, Patrick...