KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)

Rory McIlroy returns to the Yas Links this week for DP World Tour Championship title, but the Northern Irishman knows that ending his long wait for an Abu Dhabi victory will require him to overcome challenges from defending champion Aaron Rai and Race to Dubai rankings leader Eugenio Chacarra.

Despite an impressive record in the UAE capital, the 2025 Masters champion is still searching for his first Abu Dhabi title. In 14 appearances, McIlroy has finished in the top three 10 times, including a runner-up finish last year when he missed out by one shot while Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off.

The 2026 edition offers another opportunity to put that record right, although his immediate priority is to make up ground in the season-long Race to Dubai standings.

“I have a good record without getting the win. It's amazing being in contention that often but not getting over the line. I thought maybe last year was the year and made a good push on Sunday and I came up one short,” the Northern Irishman said.

McIlroy, 36, believes his growing familiarity with Yas Links, which initially took time to appreciate, could work in his favour. He also considers the course a better fit for his game than Delhi Golf Club, where he competed in the previous DP World Tour event.

“I would say Delhi Golf Club wouldn't be the perfect course fit for me. And this would be much more up my alley,” he said. “You can certainly take advantage of length and take advantage of your driver, especially on the par 5s.”

McIlroy, however, will have to contend with a strong field, including Rai, who returns to defend the title he secured in dramatic fashion last November.

The Englishman has established himself as one of the more consistent performers on the tour, while his victory last year demonstrated his ability to handle the pressure of a closing contest.

Chacarra presents another significant challenge, arriving in Abu Dhabi as the Race to Dubai rankings leader following a productive season that has included victory in India. The Spaniard, who previously competed on LIV Golf, has rebuilt his position through the DP World Tour and will play alongside McIlroy during the opening two rounds.

Chacarra said on Tuesday that McIlroy had been his childhood idol. The season’s ranking leader in the Race to Dubai has form on his side while the seasoned McIlroy is coming in from deep down the Order of Merit list. But McIlroy concedes to Aletihad he was confident of dipping into his experience.

“Hopefully that experience gives me a little bit of an edge,” he said. “He's coming in, playing well, won in India, and he's had a phenomenal year. I'm sure he's very high on confidence at the minute, too.”

Yet, he added that he was impressed by the Spaniard's approach and shot-making ability. “He seems to excel on difficult golf courses. So I'd say he's got a good attitude and the right attitude about how he does things. It looks like he's quite a feel player. Sort of hits a lot of different shots,” McIlroy said.

The Race to Dubai equation adds another dimension to McIlroy's week. Having led the standings going into the final event in each of the past four seasons, this time is a bit different. He is ranked third, but unperturbed.

“A win would certainly be welcome but not totally necessary,” he said. “Even a strong finish, just making up some ground would be a good result, as well.”

Away from the immediate title contest, McIlroy reflected on a memorable year highlighted by retaining his Masters title, having completed the career Grand Slam of majors.

On the wider professional game, McIlroy described the LIV Golf era as a “very strange time”, arguing that the financial competition it introduced had benefited players but created an unsustainable economic environment. LIV Golf declared bankruptcy last month.

For now, McIlroy’s attention is firmly on Abu Dhabi, where a maiden victory would finally match his consistently strong performances with a title. His familiarity with the course could tip the equation this time.