By Kent Gray
Rory McIlroy cannot wait to peg it up in Dubai. The excitement is not his alone.
The world No.11 couldn’t quite deliver a fairytale comeback from his 3.5 month hiatus from top-flight golf but a share of third place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship showed the return of the Rolls Royce version of Rory is purring along well ahead of schedule.
It’s certainly heightened expectations for next week’s $3 million Dubai Desert Classic where the 28-year-old Northern Irishman will again lock horns with repeat Abu Dhabi champion Tommy Fleetwood, Dallah trophy defender Sergio Garcia (fresh from a season opening victory at the Singapore Open) and PGA Tour funnyman Pat Perez.
“Yeah, it’s a golf course I know very well. As I said, my game is in good shape. So I have no doubt if I can play the same way I played this week, I’ll have a good chance again next week,” said McIlroy who will hope to emulate Ernie Els’ Desert Classic hat-trick after wins at Emirates Golf Club in 2009 and 2015.
“It’s just a matter of dusting myself off and sort of looking back on this week, I think it’s been a huge success for me, even though I didn’t win today. I felt like I got a lot out of it, and yeah, I’m excited to get back at it again next week.”
A cold driver and a slightly less control of his irons, no slight in the blustery conditions, ultimately scuppered McIlroy’s title hopes on The National as he closed with a 70. But after opening with rounds of 69-66-65 to finish -18 with a haul of 19 birdies and an eagle against just three bogeys, he will head up Sheikh Zayed Road full of confidence.
“I’m really happy with how I played. My game is in really good shape and I saw some really, really positive signs. So I’m looking forward to next week in Dubai
“Maybe didn’t get the ball close enough on the back nine today but apart from that. You know, it’s been really good. I’m really happy with how I played this week and gives me confidence going into not only next week, but the next few months ahead, as well.”
McIlroy doffed his cap to Fleetwood after the 27-year-old scorched to a second Falcon trophy with a back-nine of 30 in a Sunday 65.
“It’s incredible. He had a great year last year, won The Race to Dubai, No. 1 in Europe and then to just keep going. This week, defending champion, to put that round of golf together out there today, I mean, 65 in those conditions is seriously impressive,” the former world No.1 said.
“And six-under, back nine when he needed to. He’s a great addition to the world of golf, a great addition to The European Tour and will be a great addition to The Ryder Cup team in September.”
