McIlroy dreams of Dubai double

Dubai: European Tour dazzler Rory McIlroy believes he can complete the Dubai double by winning this week's $7.5 million Dubai World Championship and with it the Race to Dubai.

The 20-year-old from Holywood, a town near Belfast in Northern Ireland, has a 128,172-euro lead over his nearest rival England's Lee Westwood in the Race to Dubai standings, with Martin Kaymer of Germany and England's Ross Fisher rounding off the four-man group that is also in the running to win the Race (formerly referred to as the Order of Merit).

McIlroy issued a warning on the eve of the tournament yesterday as he spoke about how he felt on top of his game and how well the course suited his style.

McIlroy could win the world this week, but he also knows he could finish with nothing at all.

And though he insisted he will leave no stone unturned as he searches for his second tournament success this season, he hinted he wouldn't throw caution to the wind.

"It should be a really exciting week with the four of us trying to win the Race. There are so many players here in the Dubai World Championship, so I think it should be a great week," he said.

‘Very, very solid'

Of his form heading into Dubai he added: "I struggled a little bit early in China, but my last two finishes have been very, very solid. Fourth in the World Golf Championship and then second last week [in Hong Kong] again, so yeah, I'm here with a good bit of form and hopefully I can keep that going and give myself another chance to win this week."

Currently placed 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking, McIlroy is keen on breaking into the world Top-10 before the end of the season and feels a win on the lavish Earth Course will ensure that goal is achieved.

"I think I got off to a great start this season winning in Dubai. After that I said my goal would be to break into the Top-10 by the end of the season, and I've got pretty close to that. Hopefully, another good week might get me into the Top-10.

"When I turned pro in September 2007, I never thought I would be able to get here so quickly. It just shows if you're willing to put the work in and you practice the right things, it's possible. I'm very fortunate to be in this position, and hopefully if I have a good week, I can finish off what has been a great season."

McIlroy has predicted a tight four rounds at Jumeirah Golf Estates, because "some of the holes don't give you many options, so a lot of the guys will be hitting shots from the same area".