Rory McIlroy will return to the Middle East in January 2025.
He will start his season at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, an event where he has had great success. Last year, after a disappointing first two days, McIlroy surged with a 9-under 63 in the third round to join the final pair. McIlroy then held off Adrien Meronc in the closing stages to beat the pole sitter by one stroke – an impressive feat considering he exploded on the final hole of the Dubai Invitational a week ago Deep backlash.
McIlroy also won at Emirates Golf Club in 2023, with the Northern Irishman finishing one shot ahead of Patrick Reed. He is now targeting a third consecutive title in January and hopes to improve on his championship record with a fifth title in 2025.
“I'm excited to be back at Emirates Golf Club for the 2025 event. This is a tournament I love playing in and continuing my journey with a fifth title will be very special and an ideal way to kick off 2025,” said McIlroy said.
“The support we get in Dubai is always great. It's an incredible course, the atmosphere is great and I'm looking forward to what is always going to be a competitive event.”
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic remains one of the most important events on the golf calendar. This will once again be the first Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour, drawing comparisons to the PGA Tour's signature event. Prize money worth $9 million is once again on the line, one of the largest prizes on the DP World Tour.
Year after year, some of the best players in the world attend this event hoping to start their season on a high note. Previous winners include Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland and Tiger Woods, who won the event in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
But no one has won more than McIlroy and there is no doubt he will come into Dubai again as the favourite.
Jack Milko is the golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Get more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jackmilko as well as.