McIlroy and Rahm set for top-level meeting in Dubai

Dubai: Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will mount a battle of the No.1 players on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf Tour at the $9 million Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which begins Thursday.

McIlroy won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November for his third successive Race to Dubai title.

In September, Spain’s Rahm had secured the season-long Individual Championship of LIV Golf when he won the last of the regular events in Chicago.

In the absence of Official World Golf Ranking points for the Saudi Arabia-backed league, the former world No.1’s ranking has fallen to 31.

McIlroy is aiming for his third successive Dubai Desert Classic win, and fifth overall, while Rahm is making his tournament debut.

The 30-year-old Northern Irishman has an exceptional record in the emirate though, having won the DP World Tour Championship title three times.

“It’s always been nice to start my year in Dubai. It’s something that I’ve done most of my professional career,” said McIlroy.

“The last couple of years, to come here to Dubai, open the season and have success, is a really strong start to the season. Obviously, that’s the plan again this year.”

McIlroy was vocal about his opposition to LIV Golf, but the two European Ryder Cup stars have remained good friends through everything.