Rory McIlroy Reflects on "Good Week" Ahead of Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has described his recent performance at the Dubai Invitational as a "good week", having finished in third place and gaining valuable experience ahead of next week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The 2024 Masters champion started strong, carding four birdies in his first six holes to finish with an opening-round score of 66, although he struggled in the second round, eventually scoring 74. A better performance followed on the final day as McIlroy carded five consecutive birdies from the ninth to lift himself into a share of the lead.
Although ultimately finishing two strokes behind winner Nacho Elvira, McIlroy expressed his satisfaction with how he performed and highlighted that it was more about learning than winning. In an interview ahead of next week's tournament, where he is a pre-tournament favourite, McIlroy admitted that there were areas where he needed to improve. "I need to hit a few more fairways," he said.
McIlroy credited the recent Dubai Invitational with helping him build momentum going into the new year, particularly in terms of his short game and putting. The two-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner believes that his new TaylorMade irons and golf ball will serve him well in this week's event, a tournament where he has won four times.
A former champion at the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy is confident that his experience on the course will give him an edge going into next week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic. As one-time sponsor Dame Laura Davies put it to Sky Sports, "If Rory doesn't win, then I'll be very surprised."
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has described his recent performance at the Dubai Invitational as a "good week", having finished in third place and gaining valuable experience ahead of next week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The 2024 Masters champion started strong, carding four birdies in his first six holes to finish with an opening-round score of 66, although he struggled in the second round, eventually scoring 74. A better performance followed on the final day as McIlroy carded five consecutive birdies from the ninth to lift himself into a share of the lead.
Although ultimately finishing two strokes behind winner Nacho Elvira, McIlroy expressed his satisfaction with how he performed and highlighted that it was more about learning than winning. In an interview ahead of next week's tournament, where he is a pre-tournament favourite, McIlroy admitted that there were areas where he needed to improve. "I need to hit a few more fairways," he said.
McIlroy credited the recent Dubai Invitational with helping him build momentum going into the new year, particularly in terms of his short game and putting. The two-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner believes that his new TaylorMade irons and golf ball will serve him well in this week's event, a tournament where he has won four times.
A former champion at the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy is confident that his experience on the course will give him an edge going into next week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic. As one-time sponsor Dame Laura Davies put it to Sky Sports, "If Rory doesn't win, then I'll be very surprised."
anyway i was chatting with his caddie and they said he's been working super hard on his short game since last year 
i'm rooting for him this time around 
btw did u see how good his iron game is with those new taylormade clubs? 
so they're saying this guy McIlroy just had a good week and its all about learning now? 
what if he's just trying to get us thinking that way while he actually has an ulterior motive? 
like maybe his new golf gear is not as great as he says it is, but he needs the sponsors to keep paying him. or maybe he's really trying to distract us from something... idk
his new gear is gonna serve him well and i'm rooting for him to take that win again 
. I mean, Nacho Elvira was his opponent in that last round, and if anyone could take him down, it's someone like that! Not to mention McIlroy himself said he needed to improve in some areas... maybe he should focus more on those rather than getting ahead of himself 
. He's just focusin on gettin' better at his short game and puttin', which is fair play 
. But you can never count him out, especially with Dame Laura sayin' that if Rory doesn't win, it'll be a surprise 
. I mean, look at some of the equipment they're using now, and how much shorter the courses are – it's a whole different game, man 
. Still, I'm stoked for Rory and can't wait to see him take on this week's tournament! 
! Been watching this guy play for years and he always brings his A-game. I mean, Nacho Elvira winning was nice but McIlroy had a solid week and that's all anyone can ask for. He's been working on those irons and golf ball and it shows - that short game of his is getting better by the minute. Rory's experience on this course is gonna be huge, he knows what it takes to win here 
. Bring it on, Rory!
he seems so chill and focused on improving his game, which is awesome. the fact that he said it was more about learning than winning is super inspiring for us golf fans who love watching him compete 
and then to card those five consecutive birdies on the final day? his form with short game & putting looks solid too 
. fingers crossed he brings home that dubai desert classic win again 
He's already had a good week and that's what matters most, right? I mean, finishing third in Dubai isn't bad at all. And let's be real, the guy's getting closer to winning more times than not. His new gear is gonna help him out too - gotta love seeing pros rock the latest tech on the course! 
... think he just needs to stay focused and hit more fairways 
... been watching him play for years, always impressed by his mental game 
... gotta give him credit for being humble about it all 
... only a few days left before the big one 
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