McIlroy relishing Dubai return

Rory McIlroy is already looking forward to February's Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament he has very fond memories of.

The Northern Irishman earned his first victory on tour at the 2009 edition of the event while as well as finishing in the top 10 on his last seven starts there, he also won again in 2015.

Although the field will be very strong - it features three of the four major winners from this year, Jimmy Walker missing out - the world number two is confident of more success.

"To think the tournament is now in its 28th year, just older than I am, is testimony to its enduring strength," McIlroy said.

"I have great memories of this course and tournament. I made the cut here for the first time in a European Tour event as a 17-year-old amateur in 2007 and it was here I secured my first professional win two years later.

"I will always cherish those important moments in the early part of my career. That first win was a real stepping-stone for me, helping my confidence and leading to the successes that followed. My great relationship with Dubai was pretty much set in stone from then."

Golfer of the Year Henrik Stenson won the title when McIlroy made the cut in 2007 and after winning his first ever major in July in such stunning fashion as well as picking up a silver medal at the Olympics, the Swede is also confident ahead of the Dubai event.

"It feels nice to get back to a golf course where you have played a number of times," he said. "Playing well in front of family, friends and supporters always gives you that extra bit of satisfaction. I am really looking forward to playing in Dubai.

"It would be great fun to win in Dubai again, but they have once again assembled a strong field and nothing can be taken for granted. We will have to see how things unfold."

Photo: Getty/David Cannon

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