ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy is poised to secure his sixth title as the top player on the European tour if he triumphs at the Abu Dhabi Championship this week.
To achieve this, he will utilize a restructured swing technique.
Currently ranked No. 3, McIlroy has dedicated the past three weeks to refining his swing in a practice studio, first in Florida and then in New York. During this time, he focused on hitting balls at a screen without observing their trajectory.
McIlroy expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of his swing for an extended period and aimed to develop a more durable technique capable of withstanding pressure. This intent comes on the heels of several missed opportunities throughout the season, with the most significant setback occurring at the U.S. Open in June, where he missed two short putts within three feet during crucial moments, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to claim victory and prolonging McIlroy’s quest for a major title into its tenth year.
“The only way to effect change in my swing was to seclude myself in the studio and focus entirely on the mechanics without being distracted by ball flight,” McIlroy stated.
He added that his goal was to enhance the efficiency of his golf swing. “If my swing is more effective, it will be less likely to falter under stress. Reflecting on my year, my biggest critique is the missed chances to secure wins.”
Despite the frustrations, McIlroy has claimed victories at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Wells Fargo Championship, alongside four second-place finishes, notably at the Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship.
This string of near-misses has solidified his lead in the Race to Dubai rankings, which decide the top player of the year on the European tour. A win in Abu Dhabi would clinch the title for McIlroy, ensuring some certainty ahead of the World Tour Championship taking place next week in Dubai.
“Should I win this week, it would add a layer of predictability next week,” remarked the four-time major champion. “Though I won’t find it uneventful; it would be delightful.”
Achieving his sixth Race to Dubai title, previously known as the Order of Merit, would place McIlroy on par with the legendary Seve Ballesteros and just two behind Colin Montgomerie, who holds the record with eight titles.
“As a European player, it’s important to me to be recognized as the most successful in history,” McIlroy stated. “Race to Dubai titles will certainly contribute to that, along with major championships, and I aspire to play in a few more Ryder Cups in the coming years.”
He concluded, “I believe that this is an achievable goal over the next decade.”