Rory McIlroy ‘putted in’ under bright lights to open a new Nike store in Dubai and declaring he wants recreate golf’s infamous ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Tiger Woods.
McIlroy’s opening of the story had been seven months in the planning yet the Double Major winner was present in the Dubai Mall for 30 minutes to open the exclusive golfing apparel shop in the world’s largest shopping mall.
The Ulsterman was asked to putt on a six-foot long section of artificial putting surface place in between the eight-foot wide entrance to shop.
The infamous ‘Duel in the Sun’ – Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus fighting for 1977 Open Championship glory.
Once that was completed McIlroy, who has spent the past week practicing at the Els Club, signed an array of Nike golfing products including caps, shirts, shoes and some half-a-dozen crimson coloured Nike driver heads.
There was an informal question and answer session, a few obligatory autographs for fans waiting outside and then off to share dinner with his fiancée, Caroline Wozniacki and her parents.
McIlroy will tee up today (TUES) among 21 former Dubai Desert Classic winners, including 1989 winner and fellow Irishman Eamon Darcy, in an 18-hole $US 600,000 ‘Former Champions Challenge’.
Among other past Desert Classic winners will be World No. 1 Tiger Woods winner in Dubai in 2006 and 2008.
But after a disappointing 2013, apart from his Australian Open success in his second last event of the year, McIlroy is now looking forward to going more head-to-head in 2014 with the fellow sponsored Woods.
So much so, McIlroy would like to create the infamous 1977 British Open ‘Duel in the Sun’ when Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson fought for glory on a sun-baked Turnberry course, and with Watson winning the second of five British Open titles and Nicklaus runner-up for a sixth time in golf’s oldest Major.
“A Duel in the Sun type battle coming down the stretch on a Sunday afternoon with Tiger would really excite me,” said McIlroy.
“I grew up dreaming of a scenario like that taking on Tiger in that manner but then taking him down the stretch in any tournament would be great.
“The fact is it just hasn’t happened yet. We sort of have been in contention a few times but haven’t really had a battle down the stretch.
“Of course, you always want to pit yourself against the best and Tiger has been the best in this game 15 to 20 years. I mean 15 years as I am making him sound old
“But it’s great to have Tiger here in Dubai. He got off to a bit of a slow start to the season last week so I am sure he will be wanting to make up that this week.
“So I am really looking forward to that day we go head-to-head in a Major as he’s still got a few good years left in him.”
McIlroy this week will go into an event with four wedges in his bag and with his manager, Sean O’Flaherty revealing he’s replaced his 3-iron so that he will now carry a 47-degree wedge, a 52-degree wedge, a 54 degree and a 59-degree wedge.
McIlroy got his first look at this week’s Desert Classic host venue playing 18 holes yesterday (Mon) and in what will be the first of six 18-holers that includes today’s (TUES) Former Champions Challenge, tomorrow’s Pro-Am and four rounds of the event.
And McIlroy has spent the week at the Els Club just with his caddy and manager with his long-time coach, returning home after McIlroy’s share of second place in Abu Dhabi.
Also once he completes his Desert Classic appearance McIlroy will remain in Dubai for a further fortnight’s practice ahead of next month’s WGC – Match-Play Championship.
