Dubai: Two-time Major champion Rory McIlroy opened Sun and Sand Sport’s new Nike Golf store at Dubai Mall on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which starts on Thursday.
Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, the 24-year-old Northern Irishman, showed off his short-game skills by putting across the shop’s threshold.
Adding a personal touch to the store, McIlroy also took the time to carefully scroll his name in Arabic on one of the walls. The gesture reflected Rory’s fondness of the region, having been competing in the UAE since 2006.
“It’s great to be part of the Nike Golf team,” said McIlroy. “Nike is all about innovation and expanding the game across the globe. It’s great to see Nike Golf open a store like this in the Middle East where more golf courses are opening up. Nike recognises golf as an athletic sport, and it’s great to see that reflected in the equipment on sale in the store.”
Angus Moir, Nike Golf Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) general manager, said: “We are delighted that Rory McIlroy chose to open our new Nike Golf retail store in Dubai Mall, and we hope his season goes from strength-to-strength following a superb performance at the recent HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
“Golfers in Dubai and from across the UAE region will be able to buy the latest equipment and apparel from Nike Golf, including the Covert 2.0 Tour Driver and RZN Black ball as used by Rory himself, as well as the Lunar Control II shoes and the Lightweight Innovation Colour polo he will be wearing this week.”
The Nike Golf store is next to the Nike store on the ground level of Dubai Mall, and is open from 10am to 10pm on Sunday to Thursday and 10am to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
