McIlroy set to return for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

ABU DHABI: Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which takes place from Nov. 7-10, with his sights set on topping the Race to Dubai Rankings — in Partnership with Rolex — for the sixth time.

The current Rankings leader has already booked his place at the penultimate event on the 2024 Race to Dubai thanks to his victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a runner-up finish at the Dubai Invitational, and strong performances at the first three Majors of the season.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, a new two-event series that also incorporates the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, where the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned. The top 70 available players at the conclusion of the “Back 9” events will gather in Abu Dhabi as the new-look season comes to a close.

The reigning European Number One and four-time Major Champion is looking to equal Seve Ballesteros’s six Harry Vardon Trophies, just two short of Colin Montgomerie’s record eight season-long titles.

“It’s no secret that I love playing golf in the Middle East and having the opportunity to play in these two events back-to-back will be a great way to end the season,” said McIlroy.

“I’d love to lift the trophy in Abu Dhabi and have the chance to top the Race to Dubai Rankings again.”

As well as the action on course, there will be a full program of events for the whole family during the week, including dedicated children’s activities, large screens for enhanced viewing, and the ever-popular Ladies Day and Family Day on Saturday and Sunday respectively. There will also be live music each day, performed by some of the UAE’s most renowned talents.