GOLF: It's all about Rory McIlroy these days. Even when he's not winning he's picking up accolades. This time the Holywood teenager was awarded the European Tour shot of the month for January for his bunker shot on the closing hole at the Dubai Desert Classic.

At the Emirates Golf Club the tension was palpable as McIlroy landed his third shot to the par five 18th into a bunker at the back of the green, leaving a treacherous downhill slope to negotiate, not to mention the greenside water hazard just yards behind the flag.

The 19-year-old kept his composure and sensationally splashed out a wonderful effort that landed softly on the slope and rolled down the green to within four feet of the hole. He held his nerve to hole the par putt and claim his first European Tour win.

Martin Kaymer took second for his approach to the 18th in the final round of the same event, while third place went to Retief Goosen for his outrageous albatross during the final round of the Joburg Open.

The South African holed an immaculate three-iron from 216-yards on the 13th at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

Last month McIlroy picked up the first Race to Dubai golfer of the month award for his maiden win in the desert. The world number 16 edged out England’s Justin Rose by one shot with a 19-under par winning aggregate. He had been six shots ahead at one stage in the final round but it all came down to the final hole.

McIlroy is currently third in the race to Dubai standings with earnings of €821,785 from seven events. Only last week’s WGC-Accenture Matchplay winner Geoff Ogilvy (€1,320,912) and beaten finalist Paul Casey (€1,091,171) are ahead of McIlroy.