McIlroy set for another shot at glory on his happy hunting ground

Defending champion Rory McIlroy says he has been “working on having fun” during his two-month break ahead of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic, where he is seeking a fifth title at Emirates Golf Club.

The world No.3 returns to competitive action this week in a world-class field, as he also looks to become the first player to lift the famous Dallah trophy three times in a row.

“I’ve been working on having fun,” said McIlroy. “Took a couple of trips on my time off. Went to a Borussia Dortmund game on Friday night

“Just doing things that I’ve always wanted to do. You know, went to New Zealand for a few days, which was a lot of fun which I’ve wanted to do for a while. “Honestly just trying to enjoy myself. It’s the only part of the year I feel like I can really unwind and do that.

“It’s always been nice to start my year in Dubai. It’s something that I’ve done most of my professional career. The last couple of years to come here to Dubai, open the season, have success, obviously it’s really nice to get off to a strong start to the season. That’s the plan again this year.”

The Northern Irishman is also seeking to become just the fifth player to win the same DP World Tour event, excluding WGCs, three years running, joining an elite group that includes Ian Woosnam (Monte Carlo Open, 1990-92), Sir Nick Faldo (Irish Open, 1991-93), Colin Montgomerie (BMW PGA Championship, 1998-2000), and Ernie Els (Heineken Classic, 2002-04).

“I think I talked about it the end of last year, and obviously winning the Seve Ballesteros Award, I think to be able to put my name up alongside the European greats of golf, Seve (Ballesteros), Faldo, (Bernhard) Langer, Woosie (Ian Woosnam), (Sandy) Lyle, like all these guys, it’s amazing,” he added.

“My goal is to go out and try to get the best out of myself and play as good as I can, and thankfully that’s ended up in winning a few tournaments here and there.

“But I understand that the window is very slowly closing, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to have the best career I possibly can.”

Earlier in the day, the 35-year-old was presented with the 2024 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his peers on the DP World Tour for the fourth occasion.

He was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons, Javier, who travelled to Dubai ahead of this week’s opening Rolex Series event, won by his father more than 30 years ago, and by McIlroy on four occasions in 2009, 2015, 2023, and 2024.

Also returning to the Majlis Course this week is McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland, who claimed victory in the 2022 edition of the tournament and is back in Dubai for the first time since that triumph.

“I love this place,” said Hovland. “Even in 2019 when I played my first time, absolutely loved it. It’s iconic. The tournament has been around for a long time. There’s some history here. Great winners, and super honoured to be a part of the history. Good to be back. It’s three years. It goes by so quick. So yeah, super pumped.”

Meanwhile, the Dubai Desert Classic tournament’s iconic Dallah Trophy tour kicked off on at Sunmarke School where pupils were also treated to a golf taster lesson and a special surprise visit from DP World Tour player, Shubhankar Sharma.

The history of the HDDC and its iconic trophy, which is based on a traditional Arabian Peninsula coffee pot (or Dallah), was introduced by Sharma, who became the youngest Indian to win on the European Tour — by more than six years - when he claimed the tri-sanctioned Joburg Open title in December 2017 as a 21-year-old.

The HDDC, the oldest golf tournament in the Middle East, begins on Thursday and the school visits are the latest step in HDDC’s ongoing efforts to growing the game at the grass roots level and inspiring the next generation of golfers.

The initiative is held in partnership with The R&A’s Unleash Your Drive in Schools Programme, which is led and managed locally by Emirates Golf Federation EGF to encourage schools to implement golf into their curriculum by highlighting it as a fun and un-intimidating sport.

Executive Tournament Director of HDDC, Simon Corkill said: “As the longest running tournament in the Middle East, HDDC is proud to see the impact the tournament has at a local level by inspiring the next generation of golfers. This week’s Dallah Trophy tour across Dubai’s schools, and the golf taster sessions, are central to our ongoing efforts to growing the game at the grass roots level and nurturing the golfers of tomorrow.”

Sharma said: “It was great to see all the kids trying golf and having fun. I am really proud and happy to be part of this great initiative.”