Rory McIlroy emerged from the desert storm, wind-blown and exhausted but proud to claim the medal awarded to the leading amateur in the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Irish champion closed with a four over par 76 to finish tied for 52nd place on three under par in a tournament where Sergio Garcia, David Howell and Michael Campbell all missed the cut.

Ranked third in the world starting the week, the Holywood, Co Down, player will be eagerly surveying the world amateur golf rankings today to see if he has managed to jump past second placed Jamie Moul or number one Richie Ramsay.

"I'd love to finish my amateur career as the world number one," McIlroy said, after coming home behind Darren Clarke (tied 20th), Paul McGinley (25th), Damien McGrane (34th) and Graeme McDowell (44th).

The 17-year-old lost his touch on the greens in the final round - a common complaint on a windy final day when the average score was 72.5. "It was so tough out there and it felt disgusting with sand everywhere in your hair, all over your clothes," McIlroy said. "I played okay but really couldn't get the pace of the greens. I was just hitting them a bit firm but that's the way it goes and I am happy to be here at the weekend and compete a bit and I am pretty pleased.

"I am a bit knackered now but everyone has been really supportive and encouraging and it was nice to prove to myself and other people that I can compete out here."

Clarke led the Irish challenge when he shared 20th place on nine under after a closing 73 and he too complained he failed to gauge the pace of the greens.

On his protege McIlroy, he said: "He's made the cut. It's a tough learning curve and with just a little more experience he can grind those 76s into a 73 or 72."

McGinley closed with a fine 71 to finish on eight under and was amazed only to jump six places on a tough day. "The standard is getting higher and higher," the Dubliner said. "You've just got to be good."

McGrane also failed to hole much on the greens, though he did hole out with a nine-iron from 172 yards for an eagle two at the 12th en route to a 71 and six under, while McDowell, who held the joint lead after the first round, signed for a 76 and admitted he was still searching for a driver with a shaft that suits him rather than a solution to a technical problem.