Rory McIlroy is keen to continue his “incredible journey” in Dubai by winning a record-breaking fourth title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The World Number Two claimed a maiden Rolex Series triumph at this event 12 months ago, matching Ernie Els’ record of three victories at Emirates Golf Club.
Related: Fleetwood prevails over McIlroy in mouth-watering Dubai contest
That took the Northern Irishman’s tally of wins in the Emirate to five, having made his debut at this event in 2006 and claimed his first victory three years later.
The 34-year-old also has two wins at the DP World Tour Championship and only narrowly missed out on a victory at last week’s Dubai Invitational.
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With that record, it is no surprise the former Dubai resident feels right at home, and he is delighted to be back in a place and on a layout that has played a big part in his career.
McIlroy followed his win here last season with another Rolex series victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, adding to his four Major Championships, three World Golf Championships and six national opens.
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European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, reigning Open Champion Brian Harman and Major Champions Padráig Harrington, Francesco Molinari and Adam Scott all join McIlroy in the 35th anniversary edition of the tournament.
Former World Number One Scott had a top ten finish in 2022 on his first return to this event since 2002, whilst American Harman is excited for a tough test of golf when he makes his Dubai debut tomorrow morning.
Player quotes
Rory McIlroy: I feel like this tournament has been a sort of staple in my life for at least half of it. I’ve been coming back to this tournament for 18 years, so over half my life. So wonderful memories of Dubai.
I feel like it was a place that gave me one of my first opportunities to come out and play on this tour. My first sponsor was from here. My first win was here. A lot of firsts for me in this region so it’s been an incredible journey and I’m always excited to get back to Dubai with the success that I’ve had here on this golf course and over at Jumeirah Golf Estates too at the end of the year.
I’ve always liked kicking my year off here. It’s a familiar place for me and I feel like if I can play well here, it’s a really good sort of stepping stone to the rest of the year.
I feel like I’ve had a three-month off-season, basically. You’re going to make some of those mistakes early on, and it’s good to play an event like last week where you can learn from them and try to put those things right this week.
And in the bigger scheme of things, you know, with this being a Rolex Series Event and the success that I’ve had here, look, I would have loved to have won last week. But even with all those mistakes I made, the fact that I still had a one-shot lead going down the last, you know, it says to me that my game is in really good shape, and I should be quite excited for this week.
Majors are really, really important in this game but it’s not the only thing that matters in my mind and there are other things. I would love to get my hands on another one and I think mostly because I have done everything else there is to do in the game since I last won a Major championship. So to me, it’s like the last step on this journey that I’ve been on this last few years is just getting my hands on another Major trophy.
Adam Scott: I mean, this really is a treat to have an event, it being a Rolex Series, Hero being the sponsor, the hospitality for everybody, including the media, as I see, looks very, very nice. Certainly for the players, it is. We’re being incredibly well taken care of, and the golf course is at the highest standard.
So these are kind of dream events, and it’s like I said, I’m excited that I’m here playing. I’ve spent a lot of time in the past decade or so playing in the United States. Coming back around at this point in my career, it’s nice to be playing a bit more of an international schedule again.
It was still a fairly new event when I first came here. But the history and the drama that’s been here, and the fact we have been coming back to this course now since 1989, I believe, you know, it’s kind of well-known and everyone knows what the 18th hole looks like and what could happen there.
It’s nice when it’s familiar for everybody, and people at home are excited to watch it, as well. They have that connection with the place, and I certainly do. I think it’s great to see this event elevated as a Rolex Series and getting a great field.
Brian Harman: It’s a demanding golf course. Basically today in the wind, the rough is up. It’s really tough driving it around. So yeah, trying to be as good of form as I can, and I’ll see how the next four days go. The game is in okay shape. Had a good last couple weeks, so I’m very pleased, very excited to be here.
It’s been kind of the first opportunity in my career to broaden the horizons a little bit. So when I got this opportunity, I jumped on it. Really, really happy to come see a different part of the world, and it’s beautiful.
I think the more exposure that we can get across the globe, you know, I show up here and the build-out here just blows you away. There’s a place for golf all over the place.
