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Rory McIlroy headlines a stellar field as he makes his first start of 2025 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The reigning Race to Dubai champion edged out Adrian Meronk to lift the title for a fourth time in the prestigious Rolex Event at the Emirates Golf Club last year.

This time, he will have a rare meeting with Jon Rahm, who is one of six LIV golfers in the impressive DP World Tour field.

Other European Ryder Cup stars in the field include Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre.

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It is just over a month since McIlroy claimed his sixth order of merit title nearby on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Estates and the UAE remains the happiest of hunting grounds for the Northern Irishman.

He is the favourite to win another title at the Majlis course in Dubai, the longtime home of the DP World Tour event.

Here is everything else you need to know about the Dubai showpiece…

Hero Dubai Desert Classic details

Course: Majlis course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai

Course Stats: Par 72, Yards 7,428

Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy

Purse: $9,000,000

Winner’s Share: $1,530,000

Hero Dubai Desert Classic betting tips

This is how bookmakers have priced the field…

Rory McIlroy 4/1

Jon Rahm 11/2

Tyrrell Hatton 9/1

Tommy Fleetwood 11/1

Viktor Hovland 18/1

Rasmus Hojgaard 20/1

The bunkered Bet

Min Woo Lee 35/1

Links specialists and strong drivers often prevail in this event and that points towards Min Woo Lee offering some value. While the Aussie is winless in over a year, the setup in Dubai this week should favour him and he showed that last year, finishing T13 despite an opening 73.

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