Tyrrell Hatton secured an eighth DP World Tour title and a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series victory by capturing the Hero Dubai Desert Classic trophy after an epic tussle with Daniel Hillier.
Ryder Cup star Hatton went into the final round one behind New Zealand's Hillier but ground out a three-under-par 69 to finish on 15 under at Emirates Golf Club. That was one clear of Hillier, who signed for a 71, with Laurie Canter, who shot a 68, third on 13 under.
The duo traded blows throughout the day with neither taking full advantage and the lack of birdies at the top of the leaderboard briefly offered hopes to the chasing pack, including Canter, Shaun Norris, Niklas Norgaard and defending champion Rory McIlroy.
However, Hatton took a huge stride towards victory with a brilliant wedge approach to the 16th that set up a tap-in birdie.
There was still time for a few jitters on the 18th. Hatton unsurprisingly laid up but a conservative approach to the back of the green in order to take the water out of play left him with a 45-foot birdie effort.
Hillier had gone for the green in two and went over the back, but made a nine-footer for birdie to leave Hatton a testing five-footer for the win, which he duly converted to claim the iconic Dallah trophy and equal Jon Rahm's five Rolex Series titles. "It feels amazing" said Hatton. "I said earlier in the week, this is one of the events that you would like to have on your CV. It's such an iconic event for the DP World Tour. To add my name to the list of the amazing champions that have been before me, and yeah, to have my name on that trophy now, yeah, it's a dream come true."
"I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous on the back nine. I guess I just maybe wanted it a bit too much. I knew the position I was in, and a little bit scruffy down the last. But yeah, to see that putt go in felt amazing. Just so happy to win."
"Like I said earlier in the week, this event and the four Majors this year are massive for me to try and earn as many points as I can to try and be an automatic qualifier (for the Ryder Cup). This is a big step in the right direction. So happy with that, and looking forward to the rest of the year."
McIlroy saved his best for last as a 66 took him to 12 under alongside Norgaard, with his tied-fourth finish representing his 11th consecutive top-ten in this event, a run stretching back to the first of his four wins in 2009.
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