The UAE swing of the DP World Tour season gets underway at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy is back in action for the first time since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he looks to tighten his grip on a sixth DP World Tour title.
McIlroy’s winless major run continued in 2024 after the Northern Irishman narrowly missed out on the US Open before failing to make the cut at The Open.
Despite the disappointment, the 35-year-old’s recent form has been positive after finishing second at the BMW PGA Championship and Irish Open. This week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship provides McIlroy with another chance to return to the winner’s circle before the DP World Tour Championship starts in Dubai next week.
A strong field has gathered at Yas Links, and former European Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari has named McIlroy’s two main competitors.
Edoardo Molinari names two Rory McIlroy rivals
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In a feature piece on the DP World Tour’s website, Molinari initially detailed his thoughts on the red-hot favourite McIlroy ahead of this week’s event.
“Rory McIlroy is clearly one of the favourites again,” Molinari wrote. “He loves playing in the Middle East, and he is the best player in the field.
“He can take full advantage of his driving around Yas Links, and should he have a good week on the greens, he will be a force to contend with for everyone with any hopes of winning.”
| Race to Dubai ranking | Player | Race to Dubai points – 2024 |
| 1 | MCILROY, Rory | 4,532.33 |
| 2 | LAWRENCE, Thriston | 2,959.94 |
| 3 | HØJGAARD, Rasmus | 2,612.05 |
| 4 | HORSCHEL, Billy | 2,480.00 |
| 5 | FLEETWOOD, Tommy | 2,066.01 |
| 6 | MANASSERO, Matteo | 2,039.03 |
| 7 | NORGAARD, Niklas | 2,027.03 |
| 8 | SVENSSON, Jesper | 1,977.34 |
| 9 | MACINTYRE, Robert | 1,975.65 |
| 10 | HOSHINO, Rikuya | 1,820.11 |
The Italian, however, also rates Adam Scott’s chances of competing with the Northern Irishman this week.
“Adam Scott has been in great form since the summer,” Molinari added.
“He is a great driver of the ball, and in recent years, he has become one of the best putters in the world. Yas Links should be a great fit for him, and, like most Australians, he is used to chipping the ball off tight lies and putting on fast greens.”
Rasmus Hojgaard also a threat at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Dane Rasmus Hojgaard is also in fine form heading into the final two tournaments of the DP World Tour season. The soon-to-be PGA Tour player pipped McIlroy to the Irish Open title, and Molinari believes his “phenomenal” putting could put him in contention once more this weekend.
“Rasmus Højgaard is all but confirmed of earning his PGA Tour card and dual membership next season,” the Italian added. “He will play the last two Rolex Series events hoping to get that first card. Yas Links is very well suited for him, as his putting has been phenomenal in 2024, and he is a long hitter that can take advantage of the wide fairways.”
For McIlroy, winning another DP World Tour title will end his disappointing season on a high. McIlroy has work to do during the off-season as he looks to tidy his game up ahead of the 2025 PGA Tour campaign.
The four-time major winner will also be in action on December 17 as he and Scottie Scheffler take on LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
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