By Kent Gray
Rory McIlroy has confirmed what was obvious for all to see in Abu Dhabi last week and it has the former world No.1 itching to make up for lost time on his beloved Majlis.

The 28-year-old missed last year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic with a rib injury that would eventually force him to take a prolonged winter break following October’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

But rounds of 69-66-65 and 70 last week has his comeback ahead of schedule as he prepares to peg it up for a tilt at a record-tying third Dallah trophy.

“Yeah, it was above expectations for me to be honest,” McIlroy said of the Desert Swing opener.

“I thought if I could have shot four rounds under par and just saw some good, positive signs in my game, I would have went away happy, played four rounds and felt no ill effects of the week.

“So yeah, I did exceed expectations. I guess that has changed the way I view this week a little bit because of how I played last week. I know that my game is in good enough shape to contend and try to win.

“I feel like I’ve got a bit of a spring back in in my step because of what happened last week and very confident in myself. Again, it’s a golf course I know how to get around and I know how to shoot good scores on. Looking forward to that, yeah.”

The early-season momentum is indeed matched by historic happiness at Emirates G.C. The Northern Irishman claimed his first European Tour victory here in 2009 and has not finished outside the top 10 in six visits since, with a second win coming in 2015.

“I have a lot of good memories here at the Majlis Course, first win,” he said. “Played as an amateur in 2007 and I remember after that week I got to world No.1 amateur.

“Won here twice. Dubai is a place that I’ve gotten to know very well. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the people very well here. You know, it’s a place I love to come back to.

“I’m looking forward to getting going again. I missed it last year and I missed having a chance to win and having a chance to compete.

“It’s always one of the highlights of the year for me to come and play here with the memories that I have. Looking forward to getting back out there on Thursday and trying to give myself another chance to win.”