McIlroy Goes From 200 MPH Lap Circuit To A 200 Plus Event Career Low At Yas Links

4 hours ago by 0

After admitting he was ‘going to have the living daylights scared of me’ in travelling at near 200 mph at the famed Yas Marina race circuit, Rory McIlroy crossed the road to the Yas Links course where in a slower sport he set a new DP World Tour career course record low.

McIlroy again went close to a DP World Tour chequered flag when on the final day of the tournament he sensationally set a new DP World Tour career low in his 263rd event thanks to a 10-under-par 62 to eventually share third place on 24-under.

Rors effort was agonisingly just one shot shy of forcing his way into a play-off featuring the England duo of Aaron Rai and Tommy Fleetwood, and with Rai winning with a first extra hole birdie after both players ended regulation play at 25-under.

McIlroy further cemented his claim in a week’s time of a seventh DP World Tour Race to Dubai title.

“Obviously, I ended up one short but great day of golf, and a great way to end the week. And also a great way to sort of go into next week into Dubai, as well”, said McIlroy.

“This was a great confidence-builder this week coming off a couple weeks off and hopefully just produce more of the same next Thursday and onwards”.

As mentioned above, immediately across the appropriately named Yas Street is the famed Yas Marina Island Car Race circuit and where we now know via McIlroy’s X account he was a guest of the circuit earlier this past week.

McIlroy joined Italian-born female pro driver Francesca Pardini for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pardini, 34, enjoys a career spanning several racing series and now also works at Yas Marina Circuit. Pardini secured the Italian Prototype title in 2001, showcasing her early talent.

She also achieved runner-up positions in the same series in 2000 and 2002, driving a Lucchini-Alfa Romeo in 2001.

In 2004, Pardini ventured into Formula Palmer Audi in England, consistently finishing in the top ten. During this period, she also participated in the Ferrari Challenge and Clio Cup in Italy, along with further Prototype races. More recently, Pardini has become known for her role as a senior specialist at Yas Heat Racing team, managed by Italian former driver Francesca Pardini, who has three decades worth of experience in motorsport.

Beyond racing, Pardini has also contributed significantly to promoting gender equality in motorsports. As of January 2025, she manages the Yas Heat Racing team and sees great progress being made by former Yas Heat drivers and current team ambassadors. She was the first instructor to teach driving to women in Saudi Arabia and was awarded the “#FORUMAutoMotive Character of the Year 2022” award for her contributions to gender equality and women’s emancipation.

McIlroy had gone straight to Yas Marina upon arrival Tuesday into Abu Dhabi where he was first fitted with a race suit and officially introduced to Pardini and her gleaming bright red race car.

“Very cool”, he said admiring the race car.  “This is going to be very good”.

Watching the eight-minute video McIlroy goes from comments such as:  “Unbelievable. Wooo, hoo hoo!”.

 

 

 



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