Unfinished business for Rory Mcilroy as world number one goes on the hunt for first title in Abu Dhabi
World number one Rory McIlroy believes he has “unfinished business” at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and has set his sights on winning the showpiece event for the first time. Returning to the emirate for the eighth year running, McIlroy sent a stern warning he is ready to hoist the famous Falcon Trophy this weekend.
“I definitely feel like I’ve got unfinished business because I’ve come close a couple of times,” said McIlroy, who has had two runner-up finishes at the showpiece event, the most recent being against 2014 Champion Pablo Larrazábal.
“Hopefully in the not too distant future I can win this event, because I’ve come close, and for it to be the eighth year, I feel like I’ve been patient enough. So hopefully this is the year.”
The Ulsterman has spent almost a month away from the golf course, and has arrived fresh and ready for another season.
“I think I’ve played in eight of past ten events (in Abu Dhabi), and it’s just got better and better every year,” he said. “It’s a perfect place to come out and to prepare for the season.”
McIlroy also revealed he writes his goals on the back of his boarding pass to the UAE every year, plotting out his ambitions for the season ahead.
“Every year, I’m flying here and I do a week of prep or ten days of preparation in Dubai before this tournament, and I write my goals down in the back of my boarding pass. I put it in my wallet and I memorise them, but I don’t look at them until the end of the year.
“So in my back pocket in my wallet is a boarding pass with my goals for this year. They are just my little goals, and I’ll try and achieve those, and I’ll take that boarding pass out at the end of the year and see how well I’ve done.”
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 is presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 15-18 January. Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at AED50 for a daily pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period enter free and all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top 30 player.
