Rory McIlroy returns at Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Field, schedule, past results and how to watch on Sky Sports
Rory McIlroy chasing record fifth Hero Dubai Desert Classic and third in as many years; Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood all feature at the Rolex Series event; watch live on Thursday from 4am on Sky Sports Golf or stream with NOW
Wednesday 15 January 2025 18:33, UK
Rory McIlroy kickstarts his 2025 season this week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, live on Sky Sports, with the defending champion immediately having the opportunity to create history.
McIlroy headlines a strong field at Emirates Golf Club for the first of the DP World Tour's Rolex Series events, with the Northern Irishman making his first worldwide start since winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in November.
That two-shot win saw him claim the Race to Dubai for a third successive year and the Harry Vardon Trophy for a sixth time, two short of Colin Montgomerie's all-time Order of Merit record, with McIlroy now chasing further silverware in a city where he has enjoyed more success than any other.
- Why Rory McIlroy's 2024 deserves more credit 🔍
- Latest golf news, reports and highlights 📰
- Got Sky? Watch DP World Tour LIVE on your phone 📱
- Not got Sky? Stream golf LIVE on NOW 📺
McIlroy has already won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic more times than any other player, with last year's victory his fourth title, with this week a chance for him to break his own record and become the first player to lift the Dallah Trophy three years running.
How good is McIlroy's Dubai record?
There are few who know the Majlis Course better than McIlroy, who made his debut as a 16-year-old amateur in the 2006 edition and claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the same event three years later.
McIlroy has not finished outside of the top 10 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in nine appearances since that 2009 victory, where he became the tournament's youngest champion, finishing sixth a year later, 10th in 2011, fifth in 2012 and ninth in 2014 before a three-shot win in 2015.
He added a sixth-place in 2016 and finished runner-up to Haotong Li in 2018, then followed a thrilling one-shot victory over Patrick Reed in 2023 by successfully defending his title with a win over Adrian Meronk - by the same margin - last January.
Add in McIlroy's three DP World Tour Championship victories and it means seven of his 18 career DP World Tour titles have come in Dubai, making it the perfect place for him to start a new season.
Who else is in the field?
Viktor Hovland returns to the event for the first time since his 2022 victory, while two-time major winner and Ryder Cup team-mate Jon Rahm - who has won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times - makes his debut.
Tommy Fleetwood features after winning all four of his matches in Great Britain and Ireland's Team Cup victory last week, with fellow Rolex Series winners Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton all in the field.
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, is one of at least six LIV Golf League players in action, while Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, former world No 1 Adam Scott and PGA Tour rising star Akshay Bhatia are among the other notable names involved.
What happened in last year's event?
McIlroy was 10 strokes off the halfway lead before charging into contention with a third-round 63, taking him within two shots of Cameron Young, then pulled clear of the field during an impressive final-round display.
He moved into a share of the lead inside the opening four holes and grabbed the solo advantage at the sixth after errors from both Young and Meronk, with back-to-back birdies from the eighth seeing McIlroy reach the turn with a three-stroke cushion.
McIlroy saw his advantage cut from four to one when Meronk posted back-to-back birdies on the back nine, although the four-time major champion carded a two-under 70 to hold off the chasing pack and claim a one-shot victory.
That win was the first of four worldwide titles in another major-free season for McIlroy, winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour ahead of the season-ending success in Dubai.
Will McIlroy win again and fuel big 2025?
The 35-year-old has had more top-two finishes than missed cuts across his remarkable professional career already, spanning some 18 seasons, with McIlroy now focused on continuing his push towards becoming the most successful European golfer in history.
"I've come this far, I might as well try and get to eight or nine [Race to Dubai titles]," McIlroy said after his last victory in November. "I'm trying to achieve something that no one else in the game has achieved if I am to surpass Monty [Colin Montgomerie]."
The priority for McIlroy - regardless of his performance in Dubai this week - will be to try and claim an elusive fifth major title this season and first since his 2014 PGA Championship success, having come agonisingly close on multiple occasions since to add to his major tally.
"I think he is more determined than ever to come out firing next year," Shane Lowry said in November. "Obviously The Masters will be on the forefront of my mind and same as myself, he'll be looking towards the other big tournaments and The Ryder Cup."
Live DP World Tour Golf
Why else is this week important?
Rolex Series events offer more Ryder Cup qualification points than regular DP World Tour events, meaning any European winner this week would significantly enhance his hopes of featuring in Luke Donald's side at Bethpage Black in September.
It will likely be Rahm and Hatton's only DP World Tour appearance - outside the majors - before the qualification period ends in August, due to their participation in the LIV Golf League, meaning this week is a limited opportunity for them to help try and secure an automatic Ryder Cup spot.
These events also offer at least double the Race to Dubai points available at any event so far this season, with the tournament worth 8,000 points, meaning the winner will immediately move top of the season-long standings.
How can I watch the action?
Sky Sports will have extended coverage from all four rounds of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with Featured Groups live from 4am each morning on Sky Sports Golf and bringing bonus action ahead of the main action.
Full coverage starts at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday ahead of getting under way from 7am over the weekend, with all four rounds of the PGA Tour's American Express and the Latin America Amateur Championship also live on Sky Sports. Stream the DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.
