Rory McIlroy dishes on SPOTY snub, Sergio, ‘Teegate’ and more

Nothing was holding Rory McIlroy back ahead of his bid for a record-breaking fourth win in the Dubai Desert Classic this week.

He says his focus is ‘firmly’ on the event, but the Northern Irishman cut a fiery figure in front of the press on Wednesday.

It comes after a mistake-laden back nine on Sunday alongside Tommy Fleetwood cost him the inaugural Dubai Invitational.

In terms of prizes off the golf course, McIlroy pulled no punches when quizzed on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, adding he ‘forgot’ about his nomination.

“Actually, I forgot I was nominated,” quipped McIlroy.

“So that’s how much I think about it. It’s a popularity contest, and I think it’s just not really what it once was.”

England Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps scooped the prestigious award, but McIlroy’s snub came as little surprise to golf fans.

Golf’s poor record in the contest, combined with the BBC’s limited coverage of the sport hinted towards the likely result.

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When asked if completing the Grand Slam would have convinced the 34-year-old to turn up, McIlroy replied: “That’s a hypothetical. Depends on what my chances were of winning it, I guess.”

And on winning chances, the 34-year-old will defend his crown at Emirates Golf Club after a dramatic success over rival Patrick Reed.

In one of the most entertaining days of tournament golf in 2023, McIlroy and Reed battled it out to determine a winner of ‘teegate’ which had ensued on the range at the event.

“(It) had to be him,” recalled McIlroy, looking back on the Monday finish. “I remember standing on the 10th tee and I think Patrick had just made eagle.

“But I think the mental fortitude I showed on that back nine to not let my emotions get the better of me and really stay focused, and yeah, just to make that birdie on the last to win by one.”

Meanwhile, as the event is sponsored by Hero, McIlroy admitted he has spoken with CEO Pawan Munjal. The pair were in conversation as talks rage over a ‘global’ tour, with Munjal’s native India a possible tournament host.

McIlroy said: “If this global tour somehow comes to fruition in the next few years, could you imagine bringing the best 70 or 80 golfers in the world to India for a tournament?

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“There’s so much opportunity out there to go global with it, and I’ve said this for the last few months, but golf is at an inflection point, and if golf doesn’t do it now, I fear that it will never do it and we’ll sort of have this fractured landscape forever.”

Golf’s current squabbles are a contributor in Joaquin Niemann’s decision to tee it up in Dubai this week, as he fights for world ranking points in a bid to qualify for the Masters.

The 25-year-old is the only LIV golfer in the field, but it was fellow rebel Sergio Garcia in whom McIlroy had a word for.

McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup teammate hit back at the four-time major champ, declaring LIV Golf deserves to be important for more than a month.

“Yeah, Sergio feels he deserves a lot of things,” said McIlroy.

“Again, it’s trying to align interests, I think right now it’s just very, very hard to align everyone’s interests in the game.”

However, since removing his name from the PGA Tour’s policy board, that is not a fight McIlroy is a part of.

“I’m done with that.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.