Rory McIlroy admits what he’s ‘worried’ about after seeing the course ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

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Rory McIlroy is back in action for the first time since the start of October at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The event at Yas Links kickstarts the UAE swing on the DP World Tour ahead of the season-ending finale in Dubai next weekend.

McIlroy is the man to beat in Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Irishman is currently leading the Race to Dubai standings. The four-time major winner has endured some tough breaks of late. McIlroy narrowly lost the BMW PGA Championship and also finished runner-up at the Irish Open after missing an eagle putt on the 72nd hole.

The 35-year-old will be eager to finish the season well and claim what will be a sixth DP World Tour Championship title.

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McIlroy is no stranger to Yas Links, and the Northern Irishman has admitted the pristine nature of the fairways will test his sometimes inconsistent wedge game.

“The condition of the golf course is absolutely incredible. It doesn’t feel like there’s a blade of grass out of place,” McIlroy said.

“Yeah, the fairways, they are so tight, even for me. I’m worried about duffing a wedge shot. But fairways are incredible, such as tees and greens. The condition of the golf course is amazing.”

McIlroy continued: “And the conditions are different. It’s much hotter. Not as much wind. As I said at the start, I think if the weather continues to be like this, the scoring is going to be quite a bit lower than it has been here. The par 5s are reachable. Greens are still really receptive because of the humidity.
You know, the wind might get up a little bit, but I expect quite a few low scores this week.”

Rory McIlroy must improve wedge game as Race to Dubai heats up

McIlroy is currently in control of the Race to Dubai, with the Northern Irishman 1500 points clear of his nearest challenger, Thriston Lawrence.

Another season-ending title feels like an inevitability as long as the 35-year-old can contain his sometimes lacklustre wedge game.

Rick Shiels has criticised McIlroy’s wedge game, and the 35-year-old will be tested this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Clean contact is an absolute due to the fine-cut nature of the grass, something McIlroy has struggled with, particularly at the 2024 Open Championship.

Hopefully, the Northern Irishman can continue his impressive recent form and claim at least one victory over the next two weeks, which will be his first since the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.