After Richard Bland missed a chance to win the title in regulation by bogeying the last hole, Viktor Hovland beat him in a playoff to win the Desert Classic.
At the first playoff hole at the 18th, Hovland made a 3 foot put to win his third victory in five events. Bland missed a putt from longer out.
Both players were at 12-under par. Bland shot a 68 after a 66, while Hovland shot a 66 after a eagle-birdie.
The three were tied for the lead at the 18th hole, when McIlroy sent his approach shot into the water. The edge of the cup was brushed by his par putt.
13 years after the first, the golfer was looking to win the event for the third time.
I didn't think this was possible going into today, but I knew I had to shoot a low number. I am thankful that it did.
I was angry after the three-putt. I felt like it was over. We got a shot after I rolled a long one in on 16 and then on 17 as I had to try to finish off well. I am pumping right now. It is a bit strange.
The young man began his round off the pace but was able to make up for it on his front nine.
His hopes were dashed when he bogeyed the 15th but he bounced back with back-to-back eagles on the 16th and 17th to join the lead at 11 under.
He holed a 35-foot putt at the 16th and then eagled the par-four 17th after a tee shot onto the green, but his hopes of making the cut were dashed by a triple-bogey at the 11th.
The golfer was still looking strong. After taking a drop on the 10th, the Northern Irishman bogeyed the 11th and then made a double bogey on the 12th, but he recovered to make a bogey on the 13th. He picked up another shot on the 13th to move one ahead.
He claimed a second bogey on the last to set a target of 12 under, but he was not done yet.
Bland, who had put himself within striking distance and quietly stayed in the picture, was matched by this later.
After a steady back nine, the 48-year-old then finished strongly with two clutch birdies at the 17th and 18th to join Hovland with a 276 aggregate.
The tournament appeared to be his for the taking as he had the closing holes to play.
He was unable to edge ahead and began to lose his shape as a wild drive at the 17th put him in thick rough. He was able to only knock towards the fairway because of the superb approach shot he took.
He didn't make the most of the reprieve when he found the lake with his second shot.
Bland, who is enjoying a late career renaissance after his victory at the British Masters last year, was left by that to fight it out. Bland had an excellent chip onto the green, but he was unable to match the Norwegian's birdie in the playoff.
They finished in a tie for fourth at 8 under.
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