PURPLE PATCH: Rory McIlroy heads a strong field teeing it up in Abu Dhabi, with the World No.6 boasting a great record at this tournament.
Although born and bred in Northern Ireland, few could perhaps argue against Rory McIlroy calling Abu Dhabi his second home.
As the 31-year-old gets ready to make his first start of 2021 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, we’ve looked at his astonishing record at the desert layout.
Since his first appearance in 2008, Rory has appeared a further nine times at the tournament and to say he’s fallen in love with it is a huge understatement.
Bar an uncharacteristic missed cut in 2013, he’s only failed to finish outside of the top 10 once and his impressive string of results don’t end there.
He’s come third in three separate outings (2010, 2016, 2018), while he’s also been the runner-up four times (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015).
Such impressive form means he’s 134 under par at the tournament in his career and has accrued well over £1.5m in prize money.
And in all honesty, it’s pretty hard to fathom how he hasn’t won the tournament yet.
Unsurprisingly he’s the 5/1 favourite this time around, and few would be surprised if he finally got his name on the trophy come Sunday.
