Rory McIlroy confirms early start to 2025 season with appearance in Middle East

Rory McIlroy has said he would have a lighter schedule in the 2025 PGA Tour season. However, next season will begin in much the same way as recent years, as he has confirmed his participation in an early January event that has given him much to celebrate in the past.

The Northern Irishman has confirmed that he will defend his title at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The news was announced by the event's official X (formerly Twitter) account, which posted:

"Rory’s back! Ready to defend his title, Rory McIlroy returns for the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic!"

McIlroy told DP World Tour:

"I’m thrilled to be returning to the Emirates Golf Club for the 2025 event. This is a tournament I relish playing and continuing my run here by adding a fifth title would be really special and an ideal way to kick off 2025."

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic will be played at its regular venue, Emirates Golf Club, from 16-19 January 2025. It will be one of the year's first events on the DP World Tour and the inaugural event of the 2025 Rolex Series.

Rory McIlroy has played 25 tournaments in 2024, including the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the Olympic Games. He still has two European Tour events left on his schedule. The Northern Irishman said about his schedule at the end of the PGA Tour season (via Golf Monthly):

"I'm going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year... I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-US Open."

The 2025 DP World Tour season will begin before the end of the 2024 calendar year. The season-opening event will be the Australian PGA Championship in late November.

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Rory McIlroy's record at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Aug 25, 2024; Castle Rock, Colorado, USA; Rory McIlroy hits his second shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Castle Pines Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

McIlroy has an impressive record playing at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, including four victories. His first professional win came in the 2009 edition of this tournament.

The Northern Irishman has played in the Dubai Desert Classic 14 times, finishing in the top 10 in 10 appearances. In addition to his four wins, his best finishes are second and third. He has only missed the cut twice at Emirates Golf Club (2006, as an amateur, and 2008). He has shot under par in 44 of the 52 rounds he has played there, including 30 in the 60s. His best rounds at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic were the first of the 2014 edition and the third of the 2024 edition, both with scores of 63. His worst round was the second in 2008 when he carded a 77.