HOOK'S Justin Rose finished second in the season-ending Dubai World Championship after a stunning closing 18 holes.

Rose carded a course-record 62 – his best European Tour round ever – to finish on 21-under-par at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

That had given him the clubhouse lead, only for Rory McIlroy to put the icing on the best year of his golfing life by overtaking him with five consecutive birdies to finish his day.

The Northern Irishman, who closed on 23-under, takes home a winner’s cheque for more than €1m, while Rose pockets €694,312.

McIlroy, the world number one, had been tied for the lead with second-ranked Luke Donald overnight.

After a bogey at 13 threatened to hand Rose the title, he stormed back in amazing fashion.

McIlroy chipped close on the long 14th, pitched to three feet at the next, made a 20-foot effort on the 16th and went one ahead with a six-foot putt on the short 17th.

Rose had done miraculously well to two-putt the par five last for birdie from around 100 feet, but McIlroy matched it to win by two.