Rory McIlroy in Dubai golf over the years - in pictures

  • A young Rory McIlroy during the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images
    A young Rory McIlroy during the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy has been a regular at the Dubai Desert Classic. Seen here in the 2007 edition. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy has been a regular at the Dubai Desert Classic. Seen here in the 2007 edition. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy had Jumeirah as his sponsor early in his career. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy had Jumeirah as his sponsor early in his career. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy at the Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in 2009. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy at the Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in 2009. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy during the second round the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in 2010. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy during the second round the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in 2010. Getty Images
  • Of the 44 professional titles Rory McIlroy has won, seven have come in Dubai. Getty Images
    Of the 44 professional titles Rory McIlroy has won, seven have come in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy with Tiger Woods during the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy with Tiger Woods during the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Getty Images
  • Rory Mcilroy has a long-standing association with the Dubai Desert Classic. He first played the event as a 16-year-old amateur on a sponsor’s invite in 2006. Getty Images
    Rory Mcilroy has a long-standing association with the Dubai Desert Classic. He first played the event as a 16-year-old amateur on a sponsor’s invite in 2006. Getty Images
  • Sergio Garcia of Spain, left, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of Golf in DUBAi, and Rory McIlroy on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images
    Sergio Garcia of Spain, left, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of Golf in DUBAi, and Rory McIlroy on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy with his parents, Rose and Gerry McIlroy after winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2015. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy with his parents, Rose and Gerry McIlroy after winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2015. Getty Images
  • Henrik Stenson, left, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in Dubai. Getty Images
    Henrik Stenson, left, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Rory McIlroy said he is open to accepting UAE citizenship if offered. AFP
    Rory McIlroy said he is open to accepting UAE citizenship if offered. AFP
  • Rory McIlroy started off his golf journey in Dubai. Getty Images
    Rory McIlroy started off his golf journey in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, played a crucial role in the early stages of McIlroy's career. Getty Images
    Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, played a crucial role in the early stages of McIlroy's career. Getty Images