McIlroy commits to Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy. Credit: Getty Images

Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy is returning to Emirates Golf Club in January in a bid to win his third Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic title.

McIlroy will be looking to add to his impressive record in Dubai at what will be the second Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season.

The Northern Irishman is back at the event for the first time since 2018 - when he came close to adding to the titles he won in 2009 and 2015 - finishing just one shot behind winner Li Haotong. McIlroy has an enviable record over the Majlis Course with a further six top-ten finishes in 11 previous appearances.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed many memorable moments in Dubai throughout his illustrious career, winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in 2012 and 2015 and topping the season-long DP World Rankings three times – in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

McIlroy adds further star power to an elite field at the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, which includes World Number Two and newly-crowned DP World Rankings winner Collin Morikawa, fellow Major winner and 2017 Dubai Desert Classic winner Sergio Garcia, and defending champion Paul Casey.

The 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic will be the second of back-to-back Rolex Series events in the region, following the season-opener in Abu Dhabi. These tournaments in January form part of the traditional ‘Desert Swing’ and attract the sport’s leading players.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in 2022,” said McIlroy.

“I have so many wonderful memories from playing in Dubai over the years, and particularly over the Majlis Course, where I’ve been able to win twice. I look forward to coming back to Dubai and aiming to get my hands on that incredible trophy again.”

Founded in 1989, the historic tournament has been won by some of golf’s greatest names, including Major Champions Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazábal, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau.

The winner’s circle over the past 32 years has also featured Ryder Cup stars Mark James, the inaugural champion in 1989, Eamonn Darcy, Colin Montgomerie, David Howell, Thomas Bjørn, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Stephen Gallacher.