Englishman Tyrrell Hatton edged New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier by a single shot to win the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour at Emirates Golf Club.

Hatton, who joined LIV Golf last year, earned his eighth career win as his final round, a 3-under-par 69, vaulted him to 15 under for the event, while overnight leader Hillier could only manage a 71 on Sunday and took second place at 14-under.

The 33-year-old Hatton, who was No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking entering the week and unable to earn ranking points in LIV events, is projected to jump into the top 10 thanks to the victory.

“This event and the four majors this year are massive for me to try and earn as many points as I can to try and be an automatic qualifier for the European Ryder Cup team,” Hatton said. “This is a big step in the right direction. So happy with that, and looking forward to the rest of the year.”

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot his best round of the week, a 6-under 66, for a late charge up the leaderboard. He finished in a tie for fourth at 12 under with Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard (also 66 Sunday), one behind third-place Englishman Laurie Canter (68).

It was McIlroy’s 12th consecutive top-10 finish at the event.

South African Shaun Norris was tied for sixth at 11-under after a final round 69 for a €284,221.96 pay day with Dylan Fritelli in a share for ninth place on 9-under.