HISTORY MAKER

Rory McIlroy may well arrive at this week’s DP World Tour Championship having already wrapped up the Race to Dubai title for the fifth time, but there’s no doubting he’ll be firing on all cylinders as he looks to secure a piece of history in Dubai.

The Northern Irishman started the 2023 Race to Dubai in thrilling fashion, securing a record-equalling third victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in fine fashion on a Monday finish over the Majlis Course, birdieing the 17th and 18th in a 68 to finish at 19 under, one clear of American Patrick Reed.

Boasting a CV to rival the greats of the game, which includes four Major Championships and three FedEx Cups, it seemed almost unfathomable that victory at Emirates Golf Club was his first Rolex Series title.

“It’s actually funny, Harry (Rory’s caddie) said to me, ‘finally we get a gold bib’.” joked McIlroy after the triumph.

“Obviously I haven’t won one of these big ones before. Look it was a battle all day. Honestly it’s been a battle all week.”

After ending the Rolex Series drought, McIlroy wasted no time in getting his hands on a second by winning the Genesis Scottish Open with another superb finish to become the first player in history to win back-to-back Rolex Series titles.

If that slice of history wasn’t enough, the World No.3 also became the the first player to win the Scottish Open, Irish Open and Open Championship following  victory at the The Renaissance Club, which was sealed with a brilliant birdie-birdie finish.

“Obviously with me being a player from that part of the world, to win those three titles throughout my career, it’s a nice thing to have,” he said.

“The national titles I feel are pretty big deals, especially when you look at the trophy and see the list of winners that have gotten their name on them.”

With victories in two of the four Rolex Series events this year, the 34-year-old now has the opportunity to create more history by becoming the first player to win three Rolex Series events in the same season.

And what better place to etch his name into the history books once again than the Earth course? The four-time Major champion boasts a sublime record here with two victories and a further eight top ten finishes – a truly enviable record.

His stats also make for impressive reading with McIlroy leading most birdies made at the tournament with 253 and leading the stroke average with an impressive 68.48 across 12 editions of the DP World Tour Championship – this week’s 13th start will also see him take the outright lead in most appearances at the season-ending showpiece.

There is no doubt that McIlroy loves playing here and if his love affair with the Earth course continues , it will come as no surprise to see him crowned champion for a record-equaling third time.