Rory McIlroy's 20-year story at Hero Dubai Desert Classic

In a career packed full of landmarks and achievements, Rory McIlroy has reached another milestone.

This week marks 20 years since one of European golf’s greats made his first appearance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Since making his bow at Emirates Golf Club as a 16-year-old amateur, McIlroy has gone on to become one of the sport’s international superstars – last year joining an elite group of six male players to achieve the career Grand Slam with his victory at the Masters.

A five-time Major winner, he has the chance to cement his legacy as the most dominant champion in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic's 37-year history if he can win a record-extending fifth Dallah Trophy.

And with a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title in his sights this year, it would prove the ideal platform for him to once again become Europe’s Number One.

Dubai for McIlroy has long been viewed as a second home, enjoying incredible support, and over the past decade has become the perfect place for him to start his year.

Making his Dubai Desert Classic debut in 2006, a year after his DP World Tour debut at the British Masters, the then teenager missed the cut over the Majlis Course, with Tiger Woods prevailing over Ernie Els in a play-off to win the title.

In 2009, having turned professional in 2007 and twice lost on the DP World Tour in play-offs a year later, McIlroy became the tournament's youngest-ever winner in front of his parents Rosie and Gerry.

At 19 years and 273 days he beat the previous record of England’s David Howell, who had won the 1999 edition when he was 23 years and 236 days old.

With his boyish long locks, he claimed his first title as a professional in wire-to-wire fashion, holding off future Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose for a one-shot victory.

"This win has definitely moved me up a step and I just want to keep getting better and better," said McIlroy. "Your success only makes you more motivated to do better."

It is just one of several chapters in his story at a tournament often called the ‘Major of the Middle East’.

After recording top tens in each of his subsequent four appearances from 2010 through to 2014 - a timespan that saw him win four Majors - he became a two-time winner in 2015.

On a run of three consecutive runner-up finishes on the DP World Tour at the time, he ended that sequence in style with a three-shot win and finished on what was then a tournament record-equalling 22 under par.

“I am delighted because I was feeling like I was playing for second every time I was teeing it up, so it was time for a change and the only way I wanted to go was one better and, thankfully, I was able to do that today," he said.

Another top ten would follow as defending champion in 2016, the same year he won the PGA TOUR's Tour Championship and FedExCup for the first time.

After a rib injury forced him to pull out in 2017, he nearly drew level with Ernie Els’ tournament-record three victories a year later.

Holding a two-shot lead with eight holes to play of the final round, McIlroy was unable to capitalise as China’s Haotong Li played the final six holes in four under par – and birdied the last two - to win by a shot.

A close call was to come again in 2022, when he made his return to the tournament after a four-year absence - a period which in part coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Needing a birdie at the 72nd hole to win, McIlroy found water with his approach to the par five and a bogey consigned him to third place and missing out on a play-off with winner Viktor Hovland and Richard Bland.

But, after the heartache of that missed opportunity, he more than made amends 12 months later by edging out Patrick Reed in a tense final-round tussle after play was forced into a fifth day due to heavy rain earlier in the week.

The then World Number One birdied the final two holes in a thrilling finish to win by one shot from the American, whose closing 65 was not quite enough for victory.

With it, McIlroy won his first event of the year for the first time in his career as he also ended his wait for a first Rolex Series title.

“To win means a lot," he said. "It was a battle all day and throughout the week and I feel like I haven't had my best all week but I just managed my game so well and played really smart."

A year later, he won the Dubai title for a record fourth time after reeling in Cameron Young early in the final round and then holding off Adrian Meronk down the stretch to claim a one-shot victory.

At the halfway stage, trailing American 36-hole leader Young by ten shots, a successful title defence appeared a faint hope, but he surged into contention with a third-round 63.

"I've played the game long enough to sort of know how these things are going to go," he reflected at the time. "Thankfully I played the golf I needed to and it's just incredible to get my fourth win here at the Emirates."

While there was to be no three-peat on his most recent visit in 2025, a strong weekend showing did result in him finishing fourth.

By doing so, he further enhanced his stellar record at the event, extending his run of consecutive top tens dating back to his breakthrough win in 2009 as he went on to win the Race to Dubai for the fourth year in a row.

Now entering his 16th appearance – spanning three decades – a shot at more Dubai Desert Classic success awaits.

McIlroy's record at Dubai Desert Classic