“Hats off to Tommy. I don’t feel like I’ve lost a tournament. He’s gone out there and shot 65 and he’s won it, so all credit to him,” said Fisher.

McIlroy finished inside the top-five once again — his eighth top-five in nine Abu Dhabi starts — but he was happy with the result this time.

“It just felt great to get another tournament under my belt. It’s a great start to the year. I have no complaints. My body held up really well. My game was probably better than I expected it to be. So I’m really happy with the week,” said McIlroy who started well with two birdies in his first four holes, but could not get going on the back nine.