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Having decided not to play in next week's Turkish Airlines Open, McIlroy had to climb from 62nd in the money list - which he won last year - to inside the top 60 to qualify for Dubai,
and did so with plenty to spare. The former world number one held a two-shot lead after an opening 65, but a second-round 72 ultimately proved costly and a closing 69 left him nine shots
behind winner Dustin Johnson. "It was a good week. It was a step in the right direction for sure," said McIlroy, who moved up to 38th in the Race to Dubai. "I don't think
anyone could have competed with Dustin this week. He played very, very well and obviously is a deserved champion. "I just didn't make enough birdies. I didn't take advantage
of the par fives today and some of the short par fours. It's probably one of my only bogey-free rounds of the year but it just didn't contain enough birdies. It's something to
build on and nice to go into an off-week now and I know that I'm into Dubai." McIlroy, who remains without a win in 2013 after five victories last year, added: "It would have
been nice to try to get a win. I have three more tournaments left this year and I want to try to finish the season strongly. Obviously I have good memories going to Dubai from winning there
last year, so hopefully I can put up a strong defence of my title there." Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald is not absolutely certain of his place in Dubai, but did move up from 61st to
55th on the standings after finishing joint 31st on six under.