Rory McIlroy targeting return to world No 1 at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Rory McIlroy will compete at the South African Open in Johannesburg this week. Warren Little / Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has said he is targeting a return to the No 1 ranking at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship later this month.

McIlroy, 27, is a close second to Australian Jason Day in the world rankings and the Northern Irishman knows a strong showing at this week’s South African Open followed by finish high up the leaderboard in the UAE capital could see him return to No 1 for the first time since June 2015.

“If I play well this week, I have a chance going to Abu Dhabi to regain the No 1 spot,” he said.

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McIlroy is playing the South African Open in Johannesburg as a return favour to tournament host Ernie Els, who took part in the McIlroy-hosted Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2014.

Following his participation in South Africa this weekend, the four-time major winner will make his way to Abu Dhabi where he will be aiming to go one better than the four runner-up finishes he has achieved so far at Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s The National course.

Among the players set to challenge McIlroy for the Falcon Trophy include US Open winner Dustin Johnson, who is making his Abu Dhabi debut this year, defending champion Rickie Fowler, and British Open winner Henrik Stenson.

After competing in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy will remain in the UAE to take part in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the tournament where he won his first European Tour title in 2009.

McIlroy will be up against 14-time major winner and former world No 1 Tiger Woods, as well as Stenson and US Masters champion Danny Wilett.

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