The master of the Majlis, Rory McIlroy, has confirmed his title defence at Emirates Golf Club for the Rolex Series Hero Dubai Desert Classic event from January 16-19 2025.

The four-time winner, of the Middle East’s longest-running professional golf event, will once again return to Dubai in January to kickstart his 2025 campaign on the DP World Tour.

Last January, Rory lifted the Dallah trophy for a record-breaking fourth time (2024, 2023, 2015, 2009) after coming into the weekend ten shots back, before a magical third-round 63 placed him in the final group alongside Cameron Young, as the Northern Irishman held off both the American and Poland’s Adrian Meronk for the title.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Emirates Golf Club for the 2025 event,” said the current Race to Dubai Rankings Number One.

“This is a tournament I relish playing and continuing my run here by adding a fifth title would be really special and an ideal way to kick off 2025.

Hero Dubai Desert Classic

“The support we get in Dubai is always fantastic, it’s an incredible course with a great atmosphere, and I’m looking forward to what is always a competitive event.”

The one-shot victory in 2024, confirmed McIlroy as just the second player to successfully defend their title after Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher who lifted the Dallah Trophy in 2013 and 2014, with McIlroy also passing Ernie Els’ hat-trick of Dubai Desert Classic victories.

McIlroy now has a total of six trophies in Dubai, including his two victories at the DP World Tour Championship, as he looks to add a third one next month at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, commented on the announcement, “It’s fantastic for us that Rory is going to play. We can’t take Rory for granted.

“He’s played a lot in the Middle East, a lot in Dubai, and he’s played a lot of the Hero Dubai Desert Classics.

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“He’s announced he’s going to reduce his schedule next year, so for us to get him to commit so early is fantastic.

“Rory is unbeatable pretty much around the Majlis course, which is great and that’s why he enjoys it. I think a lot of golfers will go back to golf courses that they enjoy and play well at. But he’s the master of the Majlis and he certainly brings in the crowds.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic

“He’s Europe’s best player, he’s World Number Three, he’s golf’s box office hit. We’re delighted that he’s committed to play, as we say, which we can’t take for granted.”

More details on the 2025 player lineup will be coming soon in the Rolex Series event which offers a $9million prize pool.

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