Rory McIlroy said he left himself with “a bit too much to do” after a closing 66 meant he finished in a share of fourth spot at the Dubai Desert Classic – three shots behind winner Tyrrell Hatton.

After starting the day seven off the pace, McIlroy needed a fast start on Sunday to keep alive his hopes of a third successive triumph in the event.

However, it didn’t come before a birdie at the seventh kickstarted a run of better form which included back-to-back gains at the beginning of the back nine.

“I had chances and was burning the edges. I felt like I putted pretty well without anything going in,” the world number three told Sky Sports.

“Today I didn’t really feel I played that differently to the way I played the last few days. I just holed a couple of putts and made a couple of good up-and-downs when I had to.”

McIlroy’s 12-under-par total left him one ahead of compatriot Tom McKibbin who shared sixth spot after a closing 69.

McKibbin, 22, produced a brave par at the last after finding water with his tee-shot as he holed a trick downhill eight-foot putt.

The 2023 European Open champion has been heavily linked with a move to LIV Golf and McIlroy said on Wednesday that he had advised McKibbin against switching to the Saudi-funded circuit.