Rory McIlroy finished two shots off the lead in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy finished third in the Abu Dhabi Championship after carding a final round of five-under-par 67 to end on 19 under for the tournament.

The Holywood player registered two birdies and a bogey on his outward nine and four birdies on the inward nine.

Martin Kaymer won on 21 under after a closing 66, with Ian Poulter second on 20 under and Shane Lowry fourth on 17 under after he ended with a fine 67.

Darren Clarke tied for 56th position on three under following a 72 on Sunday.

Clarke recorded nine pars on his outward nine and his second nine holes included two birdies and two bogeys.

Irish player Peter Lawrie fired a 67 to finish in joint 27th place on nine under.

McIlroy trailed Kaymer by one shot going into the final round and was never able to get on level terms with the German.

Seeking his second European Tour win, McIlroy carded birdies at the second and eighth holes but dropped a shot at the fifth.

After the turn, the Northern Ireland player holed an impressive 15-foot putt for a birdie four at the 10th and followed that up with further birdies at the par three 12th and 15th holes.

A wonderful chip from off the green at the 16th saw him save par and the world number then followed that up with a three at the par-four 17th.

Next up for McIlroy is the Qatar Masters and then he begins the defence of his Dubai Desert Classic title.

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