World number two Rory McIlroy has recommitted to playing in the DP World Tour's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship later this year as he looks to move closer to Colin Montgomerie's record eight Harry Vardon Trophies.
McIlroy is chasing a sixth Race to Dubai title, which would put him level with legend Seve Ballesteros, and he hopes a first win at a tournament that has eluded him so far would go a long way towards his goal.
The 35-year-old narrowly beat Cameron Young and Adrian Meronk at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, his fourth win in the event, to book his spot in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Northern Irishman has played in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 12 times in his career, finishing runner-up four times, third four times and T5 once. He has only missed the cut once, shooting 75 twice in 2013.
But in an effort to finally cross the finish line first, McIlroy will head to Yas Links again from Nov. 7-10 for the opener of the European Tour’s newly formed two-part playoff series before competing in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship – a prize he has won twice.
🚨 CONFIRMED: Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links this November for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship ⛳️ #RolexSeries #ADGolfChamps #HSBCgolf pic.twitter.com/ml3GIMTcuqJune 24, 2024
Speaking to the DP World Tour media crew, the player, who has won six DP World Tour titles in Dubai during his long and illustrious career, said: “It’s no secret that I love playing golf in the Middle East and the opportunity to play these two events back-to-back will be a great way to end the season.
“I would love to lift the trophy in Abu Dhabi and have the chance to top the Race to Dubai leaderboard again.”
Later in the season, after the “back nine” schedule is completed, the top 70 players on the European Tour's money list will gather in Abu Dhabi, and the top 10 players who did not receive exemptions for 2025 will receive PGA Tour cards.
McIlroy’s place on the PGA Tour has been firmly established for several years now, with his recent victory at the Wells Fargo Championship guaranteeing the Northern Irishman a spot on the tour for the next three seasons.
However, he is currently on a short break following a poor performance at the recent US Open at Pinehurst 2. McIlroy announced that he will take a few weeks off but will return to play in the Genesis Scottish Open before the British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in July.
