Rory's Dubai return set to ignite UAE golf's global prestige and inspire a new generation
As a player, McIlroy's presence in the UAE has consistently elevated the tournament, the region's golf profile, and the sport's global appeal.
The Northern Irishman's return for the November 13-16 championship comes less than a year after he delivered a masterclass in control and shot-making to seal a third DP World Tour Championship victory in 2024. It was a win that also locked in a record-equalling sixth Race to Dubai title alongside the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.
It was also the kind of performance that reaffirmed McIlroy's standing as one of the most decorated players in DP World Tour history.
Dubai: Rory's launchpad legacy
'Dubai has always been a special place for me,' said McIlroy, who first made waves at Emirates Golf Club in 2009, when, at just 19 years old, he won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
'Winning both the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai last year was an incredible way to finish the season. To equal Seve's record made it even more special. I've played some great golf this year, and I'm looking forward to finishing strong again in front of the fans at Jumeirah Golf Estates.'
This season, McIlroy arrives not just as defending champion, but also as the reigning Masters winner, where he became the first European to achieve the career grand slam. His form has been impressive: a Green Jacket from Augusta, runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open, a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and a top-10 at The Open at Royal Portrush.
Boost for UAE golf
For UAE golf, McIlroy's presence is more than symbolic. With the sport in the region riding a wave of international recognition, from elite junior programmes to the arrival of LIV Golf events, McIlroy's participation in the DP World Tour Championship adds unmatched star power.
It boosts ticket sales, draws global broadcast audiences, and reinforces Dubai's position as a must-play destination for the game's elite.
McIlroy has confirmed that he will spend two weeks in the UAE, also competing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which kicks off the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The first Rolex Series event of the year will see the top 70 available players battle for a place among the final 50 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where the season's Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.
The Earth course has been a rich hunting ground for McIlroy, who has claimed the DP World Tour Championship in 2012, 2015, and 2024, and topped the season-long standings six times, from 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
He now sits just two behind Colin Montgomerie's all-time Race to Dubai record and will be aiming to narrow that gap by clinching a fourth straight title in the rankings race.
Golf festival comes alive
For fans, the DP World Tour Championship offers more than just world-class golf. Free general admission tickets for Thursday and Friday are now available, with last year's record crowds expected to swell even further with McIlroy's presence. The vibrant championship village, trick-shot shows, family activities, and premium hospitality options promise a festival atmosphere to match the action on the course.
Five reasons Rory matters to UAE golf
1. Global star power
Rory McIlroy is one of the most recognisable figures in world sport. His presence draws international attention, lifting the DP World Tour Championship's profile well beyond the region.
2. Boost to UAE tourism
A player of McIlroy's stature attracts not only golf fans but also visitors from around the world, giving Dubai's hotels, restaurants, and attractions a welcome surge.
3. Inspiration for regional talent
From young Emirati golfers to aspiring professionals across the Middle East, seeing McIlroy in action offers an unmatched source of motivation and belief.
4. Stronger commercial pull
Sponsors and broadcasters value marquee names. McIlroy's participation strengthens the tournament's commercial reach, making it more attractive for future investment in UAE golf.
5. Cementing Dubai's golf legacy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
8 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Pakistan squad for T20I tri-series, ACC Asia Cup announced; match dates revealed
The Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series and Asia Cup set to be played in the UAE was announced on Sunday, August 17. The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7. Meanwhile, the eight-team ACC Asia Cup T20I tournament will be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 2 to 28. Pakistan are placed in Group 'A' alongside India, Oman and UAE. The Men's National Selection Committee announced the 17-member Pakistan squad as follows: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim. Schedules revealed The committee also revealed the schedules of the trie-series matches and the ACC Asia Cup T20 2025. All the tri-series matches are set to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Here are the dates. August 29: Afghanistan v Pakistan at 7pm August 30: UAE v Pakistan at 7pm September 1: UAE v Afghanistan at 7pm September 2: Pakistan v Afghanistan at 7pm September 4: Pakistan v UAE at 7pm September 5: Afghanistan v UAE at 7pm local time September 7: Final match at 7pm ACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final): September 12: Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm September 14: India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm September 17: UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm September 20-26: Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) September 28: Final, DICS, 6pm
The National
38 minutes ago
- The National
Khamzat Chimaev parades UAE flag after dominating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319
Khamzat Chimaev continued his unbeaten streak by capturing the middleweight title at UFC 319 on Saturday night with a unanimous decision over Dricus Du Plessis. Chimaev, who calls Dubai home and received a UAE passport in February 2025, dominated from start to finish and celebrated with the UAE flag as the decision was read out in Chicago. He said post-fight that he was open to returning for UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25 should UFC bosses wish to put him on the card. Addressing his move to the UAE, Chimaev said: 'I moved to a Muslim country, I felt most comfortable [there]. I fought there before and they always give me big support.' Chimaev (15-0) shot out of his corner in the first round with a takedown of Du Plessis (23-3) in the opening seconds and had his opponent on his back for almost the entire first round. Despite the ground control by Chimaev, Du Plessis avoided significant damage in the opening session. But Chimaev continued with takedowns in the second and third rounds. His grappling skills took their toll in the third, when Chimaev landed a series of blows while Du Plessis was on his back. Chimaev continued his ground game in the fourth round and was untroubled by a late rally from the South African in the fifth. 'That guy is tough to finish. Respect that guy. [Du Plessis] was the only champion to say 'I'm in'. This guy has a big heart,' said Chimaev of his opponent. Du Plessis showed some life late on with a takedown and an attempted guillotine, but it was too little too late. For most of the fight, it was a complete domination of the former champion. 'Nobody wants to be in a crucifix getting punched in the head like that. It's got to be the most frustrating, suck the heart and soul out of you ... Just getting dominated on the ground like the way he did is no fun for anybody,' UFC president Dana White said. All three judges scored the fight 50-44 in favour of Chimaev. 'At the end, I went for it, had the back. I can almost taste the victory. He beat me fair and square tonight, he was the better man tonight. I'll be back,' added Du Plessis. The UFC returned to Chicago for the first time in six years, making it the highest-grossing event at the United Center. The main card featured two spinning elbow first-round finishes by Carlos Prates and Lerone Murphy. In the co-main event, Murphy (17-0-1), who took the fight on three weeks' notice, held off an early rush from Aaron Pico (13-5) with a right spinning elbow to end Pico's night with a loss on his UFC debut in the featherweight division. Murphy, with his brilliant finish, put himself in pole position to face Alex Volkanovski for the title. Prates (22-7) won spectacularly in the first round with the ninth spinning elbow finish in UFC history by knocking out Geoff Neal (16-7), rebounding from his loss to Ian Machado Garry in April. It was the first time Neal suffered a knockout loss. White promised Prates a fight in his home country on October 11 in Rio de Janeiro. Michael Page (24-3) dropped Jared Cannonier (19-10) by knocking him down with a right hand in the first round and sent him back to the ground in the second with a combination to win by unanimous decision in a middleweight fight. Timothy Elliott (22-13-1) opened the five-fight main card with a guillotine finish in the second round over Kai Askura (21-6). Askura had his way with Elliott most of the first round by outstriking the veteran, but a late takedown in the first round changed the momentum, leading to an upset win for Elliott in the flyweight division.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Friends hold football tribute for UAE expat killed in UK to 'keep legacy alive'
The friends of a former UAE expat who died in the UK organised a friendly football match to honor his legacy. The Jefferson memorial cup pitched two teams of seven, some of who arrived in the country from abroad, against each other in a game that was fraught with tears, emotions and a joint sense of duty. 'Our friendship began on the court and Jefferson was an amazing player,' said Dinoop Suresh, one of the organisers of the event. 'We didn't want to just sit and cry about him. He would not have liked to see that. We wanted to do something to remember him and pay homage to what he represented to us. After the match, when his brother spoke, he said that it felt like Jefferson was watching over us and smiling.' It was in July that Jefferson Justin died in a motorcycle crash. The 27-year-old, who was scheduled to visit his family in the UAE this month, was trying to negotiate a turn when his bike crashed into a wall. Last week, several of his close friends and family gathered for his funeral in Sharjah. Dinoop said that the event was the brainchild of another one of their close friends Vishnu Venugopal, who arrived in the UAE from Spain after learning of Jefferson's demise. 'Since his death, all of us friends have been rallying around Jefferson's parents and supporting them in whatever way we could,' he said. 'We gather at their house every weekend to relive memories. That is how the discussion of such an event came about. We all pooled in money and decided to organise it.' The game The game, which took place on Friday evening at Dubai Sports World, had over 20 people, all of them Jefferson's friends, sign up to play. Almost 50 people turned up at the pitch to watch and support the family. Every jersey worn by the players had the name Jefferson printed on it. 'Many of them had not stepped on a pitch in several years,' said Dinoop. 'But when I distributed the flyers and posters, so many people came forward.' To make it feel more like a competition, Dinoop said that the friends assigned the role of managers of both teams to Jefferson's parents. 'They have been through a very trying time after his death,' he said. 'The pain of losing their son, coupled with the almost two weeks to get his body here and all the related documentation was very draining for them. We wanted to have a fun activity to cheer them up while celebrating Jefferson's spirit.' The group of friends plan to hold more such events in their dear friend's memory. 'His birth anniversary will fall on January 24,' Dinoop said. 'We want to do something at the time but we are not sure how many of us will be in town. We definitely want to keep doing things to keep his legacy alive.'
