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
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 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
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 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
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
Rory McIlroy said he is open to accepting UAE citizenship if offered. AFP
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
