McIlroy produced a string of birdies on the back nine on his way to a six-under 66 to finish one clear of overnight leader Andy Sullivan.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole…
Francesco Molinari was part of that group after posting a hole-in-one on the sixth, with rookies Byeong Hun An and Matt Fitzpatrick also eight off the pace.
He held that advantage down the last to win his fourth title of the year and first since May.
McIlroy must have been wondering what he had to do to catch Sullivan after he holed from 12 feet for a birdie on the 11th, only to see his playing partner follow him in for the third time.
Sullivan’s fellow Englishman Danny Willett, who started the tournament just 1,613 points behind McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings and needing to beat him to become the European No.1, finished tied for fourth on 13-under.
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That all changed as the world number three turned on the style, a sublime chip from the edge of the green at 14 setting up a third birdie in four holes as he moved ahead.
