Rory McIlroy is desperate to finally get his hands on the Falcon Trophy and take a huge step towards being crowned Europe’s Number One for a seventh time.
The Northern Irishman has an astonishing record at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with four second and five third-place finishes in 13 appearances but he has yet to win the event.
With seven wins in neighbouring Dubai, McIlroy clearly feels right at home in the UAE, and a first win in Abu Dhabi would also see him tie the record for most Rolex Series wins with five.
“I'd love to get my hands on that Falcon Trophy,” he said. “Been close. I played well last year. Paul Waring was just a little bit better than all of us that week.
“I'd love to get myself into contention. I'd love to give myself a chance here and give myself into an even better position going into Dubai next week, as well.
“One thing I would say is that since this tournament has moved to this time of the year... you're more in the season. Where I feel like it was always my first start of the year and I maybe got off to a slow start, find my feet the last two days, and I'd go to Dubai and win that one.
“It’s more like you're sort of in the run of the season here. So you're maybe a little sharper and you know where your game is at. I'm not saying it's easier to win because of that, but I would say there's a better chance this time of the year.”
The Race to Dubai is certain to go down to next week’s DP World Tour Championship, with even a McIlroy victory this week at Yas Links not enough to secure him the crown despite his wins at the Masters and Amgen Irish Open.
That is partly because nearest challenger Marco Penge has claimed three wins of his own and with 3,500 points available for two wins over the next fortnight, and as few as 77.60 for two last-place finishes, it is very much all to play for.
“I like that I'm having to lock in for these two events,” said McIlroy, who will move within one of Colin Montgomerie’s record total should he take season-long honours.
“And with how many points that are available here and in Dubai, yes, it's Marco that's right behind me, but there's a few others that have a chance as well.
“I know I'm going to have to play well these next couple of weeks but I've got good records here and next week at the Earth Course as well. I know if I play the way that I know that I can, hopefully everything will work out the right way.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm looking forward to feeling that again and trying to win another one.
“When I got to six last year and tied Seve, and Monty doesn't feel that far away, it's like, that's something that I would love to do. Let's see if I can do it. I've given myself a really good shot again this year.”
