Rory McIlroy's delight in cruising to an effortless second Omega Dubai Desert Classic title was clearly derailed as his focus was drawn to tomorrow's Dublin High Court showdown.
The World No. 1 looked very much in control inside the ropes of the Emirates Club course holing out for par at the last in a round of 70 to comfortably win by three shots, and also equalling the tournament record of 22-under par.
Sweden's Alex Noren, and with Prestwick caddy Mark Crane calling the shots, fired a best round 65 to grab second place at 19-under par.
And double Dubai winning Stephen Gallacher should move well inside the top-30 on the World Rankings after a gritty 69 to secure third on 15-under par.
It has taken McIlroy 25 weeks since capturing the third of three events in succession, and also ending a run of three second place results, to win in Dubai and where he savoured a first pro career success in 2009.
However when asked if his thoughts now turned to matters in Dublin set to grab the front pages rather than sports headlines McIlroy smiled in remarking: "Let me enjoy this win for an hour or two, first."
The victory is McIlroy's 10th European Tour success and his 16th win worldwide and despite the clear distractions this week in the Irish capital, the 14-time Major winner will then head to the States an even hotter favourite to capture the season's first Major in just over two months at Augusta National.
"It is just a matter of keeping my golf ticking over as I have done a lot of good work these past few weeks here in the Middle East, and I now have three off, but then I guess I don't want to have three weeks of hitting balls, so I will have at least a good week of preparation prior to the Honda Classic," he said.
"But then it is going to be nice getting back to the States and back into my own house, and get back into a routine of practice and stuff over there.
"Of course, the Masters is still a couple of months away so I would like to keep the run going, and there is no reason why I shouldn't, so it will be a matter of keeping on top of things and not getting complacent."
Though when McIlroy does tee-up for a first time this year on the PGA Tour later this month at the Honda Classic where he lost out in a play-off last year, there is a message to all his rivals.
"The message is that I come to tournaments to win every week, and why it's not like me to be sending out messages to people but I guess if they are going to beat me, they are going to have to play well," added McIlroy.
"I enter every tournament with the thought I want to win, and that will be no different heading to the States or heading to whatever tournament it is. I feel I am in a place now with my game that if I turn up with a game I know that I have, that I'll have a decent chance and at least try to get myself into contention."
But while McIlroy was heading to cold Dublin court room Gallacher was heading for sauna-like Kuala Lumpur and this week's Malaysian Open.
"I'm happy with that last round today was probably it's the best I've played all week," he said.
"I'm delighted to have come here again and put myself in contention again as the defending champion - that's all you can ask for, really.
"Realistically, we were all playing for second place today as Rory is pretty good from the front and I was way back. I really needed to be just three or four back to give myself a chance of winning it again.
"But when the world No 1 picks up five birdies in the front nine on Saturday it is pretty much ominous for the rest of us, to be honest.
"Malaysia is a course I play well, too. I've done well there most times and nearly won it a couple of times. I'm really looking forward to it.
"So after these two weeks I wanted to start this year how I'd left off last season and I feel I've done that having left 2014 on a high so I've not changed much from last year at all, just the odd tinkering here and there.
"Last week I was a bit rusty in Qatar but this week it's been back to business as normal. I played lovely, just didn't hole many putts."
Joining Gallacher in Malaysia will be Marc Warren after he carded a 71 to share 13th place at 13-under par but may have fallen short of picking up the six spots on the World Rankings to break into the top-50.
"I will have a look at the World Rankings at some point after I arrived in Malaysia, and hopefully I will pick up a few spots higher than I was," he said.
"And I will be closer to Tiger Woods (ranked 47th) which will be pretty cool (smiling)".
Paul Lawrie shot a 73 to share 29th spot at nine under par and Chris Doak a 71 for a share of 53rd spot.
However Scott Jamieson crashed to last with an 83 to finish on seven over par, while Richie Ramsay withdrew before teeing up and struggling with a fever
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