Bourdy holds off McIlroy challenge

Gregory Bourdy held off a spirited challenge from Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots.

Defending a two shot overnight lead from Robert-Jan Derksen, Bourdy dropped just one shot in a conservative three-under-par 67 to finish at 19 under overall to claim his third European Tour title.

The 27-year-old, who last won in Estoril in 2008, also secured his place at the season-ending Dubai World Championship with his seventh professional victory also propelling him into the top 100 in the world.

McIlroy began the final day five adrift of Bourdy but stormed firmly into contention with five gains in six holes at the start of his back nine.

But a furious McIlroy three-putted his penultimate green following a wayward approach for his only blemish of the final day and was forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish at Hong Kong Golf Club following a six-under-par 64.

Peter Lawrie was the next-best of the Irish on 13-under-par. Darren Clarke, meanwhile, showed his continued improvement with an eleventh-placed finish on ten-under-par. Graeme McDowell was a further stroke back on nine-under-par.

Francesco Molinari, who also lost out in last year's play-off alongside McIlroy, finished with back-to-back birdies as he also dropped just one shot in a final round 64 to finish tied for third alongside Derksen (68) at 16 under.

Singapore Open champion Ian Poulter (64) and Raphael Jacquelin (64) finished five back tied for fifth with Peter Lawrie a further shot adrift following a three-under 67.

Simon Dyson (66) claimed eighth at 12 under par with Scott Strange (66) and David Dixon, who secured his card for next season with a three under 67, rounding out the top 10.

'I didn't look at the leaderboard until the 18th green so I didn't know McIlroy played well. I wanted to stay focused on my game and play shot-by-shot and I knew if I played two, three or four under that was OK and I made it,' said Bourdy.

'Dubai was a big objective and a big motivation. I needed to win and I did it, it's great.'