World number three Rory McIlroy will compete in the DP World Tour's Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in January, hoping to finish third and overall in a tournament that has brought him many happy memories fifth place.
His first professional title came in 2009, when the shaggy-haired teenager mustered up the courage to miss the trophy by one stroke.
The Northern Irishman started the year in fine form, beating Cameron Young and holding off Adrian Meronk to win the title by one stroke.
It makes up for the disappointment of losing to Tommy Fleetwood at the Dubai Invitational last week, and it all points to another trophy-filled year for the Holywood star.
However, despite two more wins on the PGA Tour, 2024 is very much a possibility for the four-time major champion.
(Image source: Getty Images)
After another second-place finish at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month – his fourth of the season – McIlroy admitted to feeling a bit frustrated.
“This tournament is going to test me a little more than it has been in the past, but that's okay,” he said after being knocked out by Billy Horschel in the DP World Tour's flagship event.
He finished second at the Irish Open a week ago, and that's been the story of his season – one that's almost been great.
McIlroy said: “This is an event I love playing in and continuing my journey here. Winning a fifth championship will be very special and an ideal way to start 2025.” Paving the way for the long-awaited match. Fifth Grand Slam title.
McIlroy nearly escaped the monkey in the pine trees in June, but missed two close putts in the closing stages to hand the U.S. Open title to Bryson DeChambeau.
| Year | Fraction | winning rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | -14 | 1 win against Meronque |
| 2023 | -19 | 1 win over Reed |
| 2015 | -twenty two | 3 About Norwegians |
| 2009 | -19 | 1 win against Ross |
Despite enduring his fair share of heartbreak, McIlroy still won the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship, and his comments after Wentworth suggested the 35-year-old remains optimistic about the future. Optimism.
“It might be a different year, but the nice thing is there's next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that,” said the world number three.
“If you look at my career as a 30-year journey, then this is just one year in a 30-year journey and hopefully the other 29 years will be a little more productive or a little better.”
