Rory McIlroy has maintained exceptional consistency in Abu Dhabi throughout his career, yet there is one notable achievement he has not secured. Despite 11 appearances at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Northern Irish golfer has never claimed victory at this event.
McIlroy has ended as runner-up four times and finished third, either solo or tied, on five occasions. Among his narrow losses are three one-stroke defeats in 2012, 2014, and 2015 to Robert Rock, Pablo Larrazabal, and Gary Stal respectively.
“Stal’s victory in 2015 was arguably the biggest shock as the Frenchman surged from eight strokes behind the 54-hole leader Martin Kaymer to beat several Ryder Cup stars at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.”
As the 36-year-old McIlroy approaches the end of a year that has exceeded his own expectations, he remains focused on key objectives. Among them is securing a seventh Race to Dubai title, which would bring him just one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record for most wins.
While poised to add to his impressive career accomplishments, McIlroy is eager to conquer the Abu Dhabi title, the one prize that has so far eluded him.
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Author’s summary: Rory McIlroy’s remarkable Abu Dhabi record lacks a victory after 11 attempts; winning this event and a seventh Race to Dubai crown remain crucial goals.