McIlroy eyes historic 4th Dubai Desert Classic title

Rory McIlroy will aim to create history and become the first four-time winner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic when he returns to defend his title at the iconic Emirates Golf Club from January 18-21, 2024.

Ryder Cup star Mcllroy is set to headline a world-class field at the first Rolex Series event of the 2024 Race to Dubai, as the world number two aims to add to his victories in 2009, 2015 and 2023.

The reigning Race to Dubai Champion memorably matched Ernie Els’ record when he lifted the famous Dallah trophy for a third time earlier this season, edging out American Patrick Reed on a dramatic final day over the Majlis Course.

The four-time major winner went on to add a second Rolex Series title at the Genesis Scottish Open in July, and once again leads the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex as he aims to top the season-long rankings for a fifth time.

The 34-year-old also returns to Dubai on a wave of Ryder Cup glory, after Team Europe’s stunning 16 ½ - 11 ½ victory over the United States earlier this month.

McIlroy said: “It meant a lot to lift the Dallah trophy for a third time. I’ve enjoyed a lot of success at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic over the years, so adding another title was the perfect way to start the year. I love coming to Dubai and the support we get from fans is always special. I look forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club in January, and hopefully creating a bit of history.”

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “We are delighted to confirm Rory will return to defend his title and will be striving for a historic fourth win. Our Roll of Honour features an illustrious cast of golf’s most notable names, and I am sure we will have a worthy champion to join this star-studded list and lift the Dallah Trophy in January.”

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic will be celebrating its 35th Edition and its recent official certification as the first and only Geo-Certified event in the Middle East, and the first in the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series.

This year’s event combines world-class golf with a huge array of family-friendly entertainment. Spectators can look forward to a wider variety of options off the course than ever before with something for fans of all ages to enjoy across the tournament.

Corkill added: “The Hero Dubai Desert Classic would not be the same without the off-course entertainment, and this year we have carefully curated the event schedule to ensure spectators have many engaging experiences to enjoy; something for all the family in celebration of the 35th edition of the tournament.”

Promoted and organised by Falcon and Associates, the tournament played on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, is fondly referred to as the ‘Major of the Middle East’, due to its legacy and world-class players drawn to the tournament every year. The DP World Tour is the main men’s professional golf Tour of the European Tour group, with a global schedule featuring a minimum of 45 tournaments in 26 different countries across the 2023 season.

Formerly known as the European Tour, which was established in 1972, the 2023 DP World Tour schedule includes five Rolex Series events, along with four Major Championships, one World Golf Championship event, as well as tournaments staged around the world with a minimum prize of $2million for all events solely sanctioned by the DP World Tour. The season concludes with the final Rolex Series event, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, where the winner of the Tour’s season-long competition, the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex, will be crowned.

The Rolex Series is the premium category of events on the DP World Tour, comprising five tournaments in 2023, staged in a variety of world-class golfing locations around the globe, each with a minimum prize fund of $9 million and 9,000 DP World Tour Rankings points available