McIlroy and Morikawa play practice round at Yas Links ahead of Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Four-time major winner and world No 2 hit the course on Monday ahead of the tournament

Rory McIlroy with caddy Harry Diamond during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on Monday, January 17, 2022. Getty

Rory McIlroy at the ninth hole at Yas Links Golf Course during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Getty

Rory McIlroy during a practice round ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy checks the yardage during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy tees off during a practice round ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy with Collin Morikawa during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy on the driving range during a practice round ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Getty

Rory McIlroy tees off during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Getty

Rory McIlroy on the driving range at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy with caddy Harry Diamond at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Rory McIlroy with caddy Harry Diamond during a practice round at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty

Collin Morikawa plays a tee shot on the fourth hole during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Collin Morikawa during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Collin Morikawa plays a shot on the 7th hole during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Collin Morikawa during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Collin Morikawa on the driving range during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. Getty Images

Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have started to familiarise themselves with the new course for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after the four-time major winner and world No 2 enjoyed practice rounds at Yas Links on Monday.

McIlroy, 32, was runner-up on four occasions at the tournament's previous home on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and will be seeking his 21st professional win when the Rolex Series event tees off on Thursday.

Morikawa, meanwhile, will make his first appearance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but the American will be the man to beat following a 2021 season which comprised a second major title, at The Open, and a victorious Ryder Cup debut, before ending the year by winning the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai double.

Both players were seen on the range and out on the course at Yas Links on Monday as the excitement builds ahead of the first tournament of the new DP World Tour season.

McIlroy and Morikawa will face stiff competition for the Falcon Trophy from a stacked field, which includes world No 6 Viktor Hovland, defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, and former tournament winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Lee Westwood.

Check out the best photos from the practice rounds in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.