Dubai Desert Classic: Rory McIlroy cuts out the noise as he returns to happy hunting ground

Northern Irishman prepares for title defence at Emirates Golf Club, focusing less on LIV Golf talks and more on his form

Rory McIlroy with the Seve Ballesteros Award after being adjudged the 2024 DP World Tour player of the rear, prior to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images

Rory McIlroy’s twin wins at the Emirates Golf Club in the past two years could scarcely have evoked more contrasting responses.

When he defended his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title last year, he was a picture of contentment. He happily regaled everyone with his thoughts on what the Dallah Trophy, as well as the city itself, means to him, and the part it has played in his life and career.

Twelve months earlier, it was as if he had won the tournament through gritted teeth. He had just staved off Patrick Reed, his tee-tossing, Masters, Ryder Cup and – most-pertinently – LIV Golf nemesis. The week might have ended well for the Northern Irishman, but it was certainly not one of good humour.

The rancour does not exactly linger ahead of his bid to make it a hat-trick of Classic crowns. McIlroy has had a break since taking two trophies away with him last time he was in Dubai – the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai – and has arrived refreshed.

In the meantime, the world No 3 has done some bucket list stuff – spending time in New Zealand, and seen the Yellow Wall having taken in a Borussia Dortmund home game.

Now it is back to work at his happiest – if somewhat storied – hunting ground, and there are certainly reminders of 2023. The potential challengers to McIlroy’s crown are many and varied – and it includes some rebels.

Reed is back, and he is not the only LIV Golf employee who is here. At least the presence of European Ryder Cup heroes like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton means the atmosphere will be more convivial, even if there are still remnants of frost.

World golf remains a torn patchwork with plenty of stitching still to be done. Rahm, who is making his long-awaited debut at the Classic, said on Tuesday that golf is in a “golden era” given all the opportunities now open to players.

Not everyone is quite so sure. “Very rose-tinted glasses if you ask me,” McIlroy said of his Ryder Cup teammate’s take on the state of the global game at present.

“There’s amazing players,” he acknowledged. “There’s amazing players that play in all different tours and parts of the world, which is great. But at the same time, it's become too fractured and too disjointed.

“I would share his optimism if the game wasn’t as disjointed and as fractured as it was. Maybe we’ll get to that point sometime in the near future, and if we do, then I would share that optimism.”

McIlroy might have given up his official responsibilities in the continuing LIV vs The Establishment talks. It was part of the reason he felt less burdened here last year – “I’m at a point in my career where I really just have to look after myself,” he says now.

But his views are still sought after frequently, and not just in the public forum. Tom McKibbin, the highly regarded 22-year-old Northern Irishman, used his well credentialed compatriot as a sounding board after receiving an offer from LIV.

At the DP World Tour Championship in November, McIlroy appeared to take as much pleasure from the fact McKibbin had secured a PGA Tour card as he did his own trophy double.

It seems, though, McKibbin might not take up that chance, given the offer from the Saudi Arabia-backed tour, which is reportedly worth $5 million plus further annual guarantees.

“I have known Tom since he was 10 or 11 years old, and as soon as he got the offer, he rang me,” McIlroy said.

“I just landed in New Zealand. We had a really good conversation. And I talked to him multiple times over the course of December to sort of get a feel for what he was thinking.

“All I could do is give my perspective. I really like Tom as a person, and as a player. I think he’s got a ton of potential.

“I said to him, ‘If I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making. I think, working so hard to get your Tour card in the States, to achieve that goal last year was a big achievement.

“I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up with access to majors, a potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on how he would play.

“I don’t think anything is official yet. But if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn’t make that decision.”

While he is happy to offer his wisdom to youngsters like McKibbin, McIlroy is focused on raising his own game as he kicks off his 2025 campaign.

“It’s nice to knuckle down,” McIlroy said. “I feel like my game is in good shape. I’ve been close to doing some really good things in the game of golf over the last few years. I have done some really good things.

“But I understand that the window is very slowly closing, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to have the best career I possibly can.”

McIlroy will start his defence of the Dallah Trophy from the 10th hole on Thursday. His match with Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood starts at 8.05am.