Dubai, UAE, 21 January 2024: Rory McIlroy secured his place in the history books by winning a record-setting fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) title with a one-shot victory as the 35th edition of the illustrious event came to a thrilling close on Sunday at Emirates Golf Club.
The Rolex Series Event once again attracted thousands of fans on the fourth and final day, with crowds watching on as McIlroy held his nerve to finish 14-under and successfully defend his Dallah Trophy, ahead of Adrian Meronk by a single shot. He is the second golfer to retain the title after Stephen Gallacher, and adds to his 2009, 2015 and 2023 triumphs.
McIlroy was presented the Dallah trophy by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.
The presentation ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Mohammed Al Shaibani, Managing Director of Investment Corporation of Dubai and Director General of H.H. the Ruler’s Court, His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Emirates Golf Federation, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, His Excellency Hesham Al Qassim, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Wasl and Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp.
Also present were Mr. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, Mr. Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Chairman of Seddiqi Holdings, Mr. Shayne Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates NBD, Mr Abdulla bin Damithan, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director DP World GCC, and Mr. Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of European Tour Group.
McIlroy went into the final day standing two shots off the lead and made three birdies in his first nine. The World No.2 suffered a minor blip with a bogey on the 13th hole, but made par for the last nine to shoot 70 for the title.
He said: “It’s really cool to win. It was a really tricky day and it was hard to get it close and make a ton of birdies. The pivotal point for me came on the 8th and 9th hole. Making two threes there set me up to try to control it on the way in.”
“I made that one blunder on the 13th, but felt like I steadied the ship well over the last few holes, and it was one of those days where there wasn’t a ton of fireworks just because the course was so difficult, but I held on as best as I could and thankfully no one around the top of the leaderboard made much of a run.”
Runner-up Meronk had a mixed day with five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey while overnight leader Cameron Young’s quest for his maiden DP World Tour title goes on after registering 74 on the final day to finish 12-under.
The fourth day of action brought the milestone HDDC edition to an end and there was no shortage of numbers as thousands of fans flocked through the gates to experience the world-class golf tournament with more options than ever before.
The new-look Tournament Town was a busy hub as fans of all ages enjoyed a wide array of activities while the live entertainment line-up including caricature sketches, roaming acts, stilt walkers and graffiti artists added to the vibrant atmosphere.
Besides watching the action in the stands and on the screens, fans were able to follow the players from several new public viewing spots and terraces overlooking the iconic Dubai skyline.
Saturday marked the tournament’s first Retro-Vintage day as part of the celebrations to mark the 35th edition of the milestone event. Fans turned up for the third day dressed in iconic golfing fashion and statement outfits from the1940s through to the 1990s.
Having become the first golf event in the Middle East, and the first DP World Tour Rolex Series event to achieve GEO-certified® tournament status, sustainability was again a key element for 2024. With over 400 solar panels powering this year’s event, organisers also welcomed fans to get involved by utilising free drinking water dispensers across the Majlis course, and take part in eco-centric workshops at Sustainability Corner as part of the tournament’s efforts to evolve in its position as one of the greenest tournaments on the Tour.
Prior to the first ball teeing off, HDDC also partnered once again with Heroes of Hope, a youth sports charity working with People of Determination to promote inclusivity and provide diverse sports programmes to allow for the development of key sporting, social and interpersonal skills. Three clinics were held with the last one attended by South African golfer, Thriston Lawrence.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “Over the past four days, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) has demonstrated why this event is one of the key highlights on the Dubai calendar and the first Rolex Series Event on the DP World Tour, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
“From the best global players producing incredible moments on the Majlis Course to thousands enjoying the wide array of entertainment at Tournament Town, we could not have asked for a better edition, especially in our historic 35th year.”
“This tournament has come a long way since the inaugural event back in 1989 and it was a joy to see so many families and individuals of all ages coming together to take an interest in the sport and be part of our celebrations. Our overriding objective at HDDC is to create a world-class golf tournament for all and we have led the way by providing top facilities for golfers as well as introducing our all-new Mental Fitness and Recovery Zone. Furthermore, fans were not short of options for entertainment with plenty of activities at Tournament Town.”
“The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has enhanced Dubai’s position as a global destination for sporting spectacles and we are determined to raise the bar even higher for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in 2025.”
Dates for the 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic will be revealed soon at www.dubaidesertclassic.com.