After Rory McIlroy and new girlfriend Caroline Wozinacki took in the new crime comedy, One for the Money the World No. 2 ranked golfer has set his sights on savouring a second Omega Dubai Desert Classic win.
Wozinacki arrived in Dubai late last week to join up with McIlroy who has spent the week since third in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship working on his game at the Els Club.
The couple have been catching up for a first time in a month and also enjoying the new Katherine Heidl movie.
Rory McIlroy drives off the 8th tee during Wednesday's Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am. (Photo - Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
On a more serious note, this year marks McIlroy’s seventh appearance in Dubai and it’s the one major tournament he’s played the most in his career.
In fact, McIlroy places the Emirates course in Dubai among his leading four golf courses he’s played in the world.
“Dubai is definitely one of my favourite events to come back to and just the whole atmosphere, knowing the golf course so well, and the memories,” said McIlroy.
“So outside of the Majors, Dubai would be in my top three or four behind Hong Kong. I love the Memorial in the U.S. It’s a great tournament. Quail Hollow is another one, and Akron. I love Akron and Firestone is a fantastic golf course.”
Joining McIlroy this week is not only Wozinacki but his parents, Rosie and Gerry who were present in 2009 when McIlroy won the event for his first pro career success.
McIlroy also revealed he will travel to Qatar next week where Wozinacki is contesting the Qatar Mobil Open.
McIlroy will play the opening two Dubai rounds of the event in the company of England’s Robert Rock, winner over both McIlroy and Tiger Woods in last fortnight’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and also Spain’s Alvaro Quiros.
Quiros is one of best entertainers on the European Tour and thrilled Dubai fans twice last year winning the Dubai Desert Classic and the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
And while Rock got the better of everyone in neighbouring Abu Dhabi, Quiros is quietly confident of keeping both McIlroy and Rock at arm’s length.
“Rory and Robert are two nice guys but it won’t make it any easier because once you are on the golf course you don’t pay attention only if it was someone like Tiger, who I played against in 2011,” said Quiros.
“There is no denying Rory is one of the best players we have at present and especially around this golf course as we saw when he won in 2009.
“However I will not be out there this week trying to beat Rory and I will not be intimidated by Rory because there is no one in golf at the moment who intimidates me.
“All that matters at the end of the week is the scores and if it’s me who finishes in front on Sunday.”
