World No. 1 Rory McIlroy confirmed for 2023 Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy has won the Dubai Desert Classic on two occasions. (Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)
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Updated 08 November 2022
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World No. 1 Rory McIlroy confirmed for 2023 Dubai Desert Classic

  • The event will take place from Jan. 26-29 at the Emirates Golf Club

DUBAI: Organizers of the Dubai Desert Classic have announced that world No. 1 and two-time champion Rory McIlroy will play in the 2023 Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy, a four-time Major champion, is the first player to be confirmed and will be among the top stars swinging into action when the Rolex Series event at Emirates Golf Club takes place from Jan. 26-29.

Having won the Dubai Desert Classic twice, in 2009 and 2015, McIlory will be bidding to clinch his third title.

The 33-year-old said: “I always look forward to playing the Dubai Desert Classic, having won the tournament twice in my career, and Majlis is a golf course that I love to play.

“Lifting the Dallah trophy for a third time is something I would like to achieve.”

Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Dubai Desert Classic, said: “Since the first ball teed off more than three decades ago in 1989, the Dubai Desert Classic has gone from strength to strength, attracting a wide array of top golfers from around the world, so to have Rory McIlroy confirm his participation exemplifies how highly regarded the tournament is.

“He is one of the greatest names not just in golf but also in sport in general, and we are delighted that he will be returning to Emirates Golf Club again. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to see the world No. 1 in action on the Majlis course, a place he knows very well, in what will be another important year for him.

“With more household names and up-and-coming players set to join over the coming weeks, fans can be assured of a stellar playing field for January 2023.”


Jon Rahm putts his way to 2nd round lead at LIV Adelaide

Updated 13 February 2026
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Jon Rahm putts his way to 2nd round lead at LIV Adelaide

  • A two-time LIV individual season champ, Rahm is looking for his first tournament win since 2024

ADELAIDE: Jon Rahm fired a 63 on Friday to ‌take a one-stroke lead into the third round of LIV Golf Adelaide in Australia.

Rahm posted a bogey-free round at Grange Golf Club that included seven birdies — ​five of them on the back nine — and an eagle on the 561-yard par-5 No. 7 hole to move to 13-under for 
the tournament.
The Spaniard stands one shot ahead of Ben Campbell, who also recorded seven birdies and an eagle for his 9-under round of 63.
Bryson DeChambeau is in third place at 11-under after 
shooting a 67.
Rahm can credit his success on Friday to ‌his putting. ‌His eagle on No. 7 was courtesy of ​a ‌47-foot putt, ​and he also holed five more putts of between 10 and 25 feet. He made about 150 feet 
of putts. A two-time LIV individual season champ, Rahm is looking for his first tournament win 
since 2024.
“I can’t remember the last time I made this many, but it was a lot — and the ones that didn’t go in looked like they were going to go in,” Rahm said. “It was a ‌fantastic day on the greens.”
Campbell, of ‌New Zealand, is seeking his first win ​in Australia as a pro. ‌He had a contingent of family and friends 
following him.
“It’s great,” ‌Campbell said of his support system. “It’s as close to I get playing at home. Everyone has been amazing.”
Without the windy conditions of Thursday, the course played easier on Friday. The stroke average of 69.035 bested the opening round ‌by more than 
two strokes.
Thirteen different players recorded eagles or better on Friday. David Puig of Spain made the third albatross in league history with his 2 on the par-5 10th hole.
One of those eagles belonged to DeChambeau, who had an up-and-down round that also included five birdies and 
two bogeys.
“I was scrambling all day, and that’s something you just can’t do if you’re trying to win a golf tournament,” DeChambeau said.
In fourth place is Anthony Kim (67 on Friday) at 10-under with Talor Gooch (63) and Branden Grace of South Africa (64) in fifth place at 9-under.
On the team front, Campbell’s round helped to propel the RangeGoats into ​a tie for first at 23-under ​with Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces, aided by Kim’s performance.
Those teams are one shot ahead of Rahm’s Legion XIII as well as Ripper GC and 
Torque ​GC.