Rory McIlroy Provides Timely Boost to DP World Tour

Rory McIlroy has provided the DP World Tour with a welcome boost by announcing that he will begin 2024 by competing in back-to-back events, as he enters the Dubai Invitational and will defend his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title the following week.

The Northern Irishman loves Dubai, having won five times there and the 34-year-old will spend successive weeks at DP World Tour events in the United Arab Emirates to start the first few weeks of 2024.

McIlroy is certain to be star attraction at the Dubai Invitational and he will then turn his attention to trying to create a piece of history as the first four-time winner of the Dubai Desert Classic when he returns to defend his title at the Emirates Golf Club from January 18-21 2024.

The four-time major champion is also the reigning European No 1 having claimed the season-long Race to Dubai on four occasions, including last year. He currently tops the rankings heading into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in two weeks' time from November 16-19. He has a comfortable lead over Masters champion Jon Rahm.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

"I'm really excited to start my year at the Dubai Invitational," said McIlroy. "I've always enjoyed coming back to Dubai to set up my season and with a pro-am format, this tournament is going to be an enjoyable week.

"Dubai Creek Resort is a fantastic course and given the support we get in Dubai from the fans, I'm sure they are going to make it another great week on the golfing calendar."

The first event on the International Swing on the DP World Tour's new 2024 schedule, the Dubai Invitational will be played bi-annually in 2024, 2026 and 2028, and consists of 60 professional DP World Tour golfers, and 60 amateur golfers.