Of the now 41 tournaments Rory McIlroy has won around the world 18 of those have been on the DP World Tour while seven of those victories have now been in UAE emirate of Dubai.

McIlroy has now captured three season-ending DP World Tour Championship titles at the Jumeirah Resort and four Hero Dubai Desert Classic championships some 20 kilometres away at the Emirates Golf club.

In fact, McIlroy captured his first Tour title of 2024 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and now the last of his year at Jumeirah.

And of course, his maiden pro victory anywhere was at the 2009 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.anks for your support.

A very happy McIlroy family and daughter Poppy easily counting to six. Image – DPWT

Does such an achievement in the largest of the UAE emirates deserve honorary UAE citizenship?

Well, Rory would accept it, if honoured.

“I have never been offered but if I were to be offered, I probably would take it, yeah.

“You know, look, I lived here for four years. I was a resident. I love this part of the world. I always have. As I said, I was lucky enough to receive an invite to the Dubai Desert Classic 2006 as an amateur, and I’ve been coming back to this region every year since.

“It’s been 18 pretty cool years.

“There’s been a lot of fond memories along the way, and as long as this region continues to be an important part of the world of golf, I’ll keep coming back. I love coming back here, and I have a lot of friends, and I try to make it a point to come back as much as I can”.

Step forward Mr. McIlroy.