RORY McILROY made no attempt to hide his frustration after squandering a two-shot lead with eight holes to play today as China’s Li Haotong claimed the biggest win of his career in the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy overturned a one-shot overnight deficit with the aid of three birdies in the first 10 holes at Emirates Golf Club, but bogeyed the 11th and 16th as well as three-putting the par-five 13th for par.

And although the four-time major winner birdied the final two holes, Li did likewise under enormous pressure to complete a closing 69 and win by a single shot.