Rory McIlroy 'still got a decent chance' at the Dubai Desert Classic, could repeat last year's big comeback

Rory McIlroy 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Image via Getty).
In Picture: Rory McIlroy 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Image via Getty).

Rory McIlroy finished the second round of the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic in a tie for 33rd place with a score of 3 under. McIlroy is nine shots behind leader Ewen Ferguson, who carded a second-round 65 to take the 36-hole lead at 12 under.

However, McIlroy is not counting himself out of contention, recalling that a year ago he finished the second round of this event 10 shots behind the leader, before staging a spectacular comeback to win the tournament.

A reporter asked Rory McIlroy the following question (via ASAP Sport):

You came from 10 strokes behind last time, and you're eight behind this time [the round was yet to complete]. So good news there. Does your game feel like it's in a place where if the putts start to drop, you could make a charge?

The Northern Irishman answered as follows:

"I think so [that he still has a chance to win the tournament], especially the way the golf course is going. Obviously 11-under is leading. You know, Ewen Ferguson might get there if he birdies the last."

He added:

"I'd say the winning score isn't going to be much above what the leader is right now, especially the way the course is going to play over the weekend, and the especially this golf course has played over the weekend the last couple years.""The greens will continue to get a little bit firmer, and will put such a premium on putting it in the fairway and hitting a lot of greens. If I can focus on that over the weekend, get a couple of putts to drop, I think I've still got a decent chance."

Rory McIlroy carded seven birdies and four bogeys in the first 36 holes of the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. His best round to date was the first, in which he carded four birdies and two bogeys (2-under).

McIlroy has won the Dubai Desert Classic four times (2009, 2015, 2023, 2024). In the current edition, he will be looking to defend his title for the second year in a row, and if he succeeds, he will become the first player to do so at the event.


Recalling Rory McIlroy's spectacular comeback at the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy began the 2024 edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in much the same way as he did in 2025, with rounds of 71 and 70. After the first 36 holes, the Northern Irishman was 10 shots off the pace set by interim leader Cameron Young.

But McIlroy's best golf came in the final two rounds. On Saturday, he carded an eagle and seven birdies (no bogeys) for a 9-under 63 to move into second place. At the time, McIlroy was just two shots behind Young and fully in contention for the title.

In the fourth and decisive round on Sunday, the experienced Rory McIlroy carded three birdies and a bogey to take the solo lead and eventually the title, while Young was unable to keep pace and dropped back to third place with a final round of 74.

Quick Links

Edited by Pratham K Sharma
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications