Rory McIlroy claims historic fourth Dubai Desert Classic with thrilling title defence

There are a few things which immediately spring to mind when thinking about Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, obviously. The Creek and Jumeirah Beach, of course. The Burj Al Arab, certainly.

And Rory McIlroy. No many things are quite as synonymous with this city as success for the Northern Irishman on its golf courses.

After claiming a historic fourth title at the Emirates Golf Club on Sunday, McIlroy acknowledged that he and the city had grown up together in the best part of two decades since they first made each other’s acquaintance.

His list of career highlights has “Dubai” written on it more times than an Emirates Airlines flight schedule. Along with his four Dubai Desert Classic titles, he has won the Race to Dubai five times, and the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, twice.

“The arc of my career and Dubai in general have tracked each other pretty consistently along the way,” said McIlroy, whose winning score of 14-under-par was one better than runner up Adrian Meronk.

“I remember my first Desert Classic in '06 as an amateur, staying what seemed like out in the desert. It's probably only ten minutes away now, it's so built up.

“To think, 18 years ago, what it meant to come here and play in this event, to be sitting here now having won it four times, and all the great experiences that I've had in Dubai and the friends that I've met.

Rory McIlroy wins the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for a fourth time