Rory McIlroy makes touching Tiger Woods admission after record-breaking Dubai win

Rory McIlroy secured a record fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on Sunday, and in the aftermath paid tribute to his good friend and ‘hero’ Tiger Woods

Rory McIlroy has revealed his record-breaking run in the Dubai Desert Classic was inspired by Tiger Woods, after the Northern Irishman defended his title on Sunday.

McIlroy wrote himself into the DP World Tour history books, winning the Rolex Series event in the Middle East for a record fourth time. The turnaround was a quite remarkable one, after the Northern Irishman found himself 10 shots behind Cameron Young at the halfway point.

A quite remarkable showing on Saturday followed though, as McIlroy stormed into contention with a third round nine-under-par 63 to ensure he began the final round just two back.

He then kicked on from the start Sunday too, banking three birdies across his opening nine holes to gain the lead at the turn, following a number of errors from Young. He then played his final nine of the tournament in one-over, but it proved enough to fend of Young and fellow challenger Adrian Meronk.

McIlroy’s name was scribed onto the Dubai Desert Classic for a fourth time, but the Northern Irishman is not alone when it comes to starring past winners. One of his closest friends and arguably golf’s greatest ever player, Woods has also won the event on two occasions, and McIlroy admitted following in his hero’s footsteps makes it extra special.

Asked how much it meant to him to build a legacy within professional golf, he responded: “Everything. I think it’s the only way to be able to compare yourself to the people that you grew up idolising. So I grew up — my hero it was Tiger Woods.

“I wanted to do what Tiger did. I’ll probably not have the career that he’s had, but I still look at the trophies that I’ve won and my name is on those same trophies that his are on, as well, which is — I mean, that’s — I don’t know a better way of quantifying success in the game as putting your name on the trophies that the people before you have put their names on.”

Creating a ‘legacy’ has become a huge talking point in recent years, amid the recent rise of LIV Golf, and its mega-money lure to a number of PGA Tour stars. At the other end of the spectrum McIlroy alluded to the success of 22-year-old Michael Thorbjornsen, who became the leading amateur at this event for the second-straight year.

He therefore is hoping he can the same effect on the young American. “I think it’s a very cool thing. Michael Thorbjornsen has just won the second time as an amateur here. Hopefully in 15, 20 years’ time, he’s looking back and looking at the trophies that my name is on.”