Rory McIlroy hopes to shake off the rust soon and build for his Masters defence after he recorded his worst finish for 17 years to finish 12 shots behind an imperious Patrick Reed in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Hopes of an Irish victory evaporated in the desert air as Patrick Reed extended his lead to four strokes heading into the final round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Rory McIlroy will need to find his A-game at the weekend if he’s to win his fifth Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Tyrrell Hatton denied there was any tension with an out-of-sorts Rory McIlroy in the first round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Shane Lowry overcame a slow start and made three birdies in his last 12 holes to grind out a one-under 70 and keep his victory hopes alive in the Dubai Invitational.

Shane Lowry had to tap into his artistic side to overcome strong winds and grab a share of the halfway lead in the Dubai Invitational.

Rory McIlroy swapped his blades for a new set of cavity-back irons but it was business as usual as the Masters champion raced into the first round lead at the Dubai Invitational.

Séamus Power kept his cool and fired a sizzling six-under 64 to keep his hopes alive of retaining his PGA Tour card at the season-ending RSM Classic in Georgia.

Tom McKibbin fired a five under 65 to take a slim one-shot lead into the final round of the Links Hong Kong Open as he chases a wire-to-wire win and dream starts in the Masters and The Open.

Tom McKibbin is motivated to try and join Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington on the list of champions and win spots in the Masters and The Open at the Link Hong Kong Open.

Jon Rahm will be looking to overcome Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry and win his fourth Spanish Open this week after coming through what he described as “the chaos” of Europe’s win at Bethpage Black.

Tom McKibbin, Lauren Walsh, Sara Byrne and Hugh Foley were the top Irish performers last week.