Take his record in the DP World Tour tournament that this week makes its debut at the Kyle Phillips-designed Yas Links. Tied for 11th in his first visit in 2008, McIlroy has accumulated nine top-five finishes in the 10 times he has made the long trip to the biggest of the United Arab Emirates. The missed cut in 2013 remains a mystery. As does the fact that, despite being in contention so often, Rory never won at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
That high level of opening performance has transferred elsewhere, too. Five years ago, only an inspired performance by Englishman Graeme Storm prevented McIlroy from adding the South African Open to his collection of national titles. And on the two occasions he has kicked-off his year on US soil, the 32-year-old Northern Irishman has come up with top-four finishes. Clearly, in his case competitive rust is only rarely a factor after the holiday break.
As ever then, legitimate questions hang over the man many observers view as the most naturally talented member of golf’s elite. Perhaps only one thing is for (pretty) sure. Come Sunday evening, he will at least contend for the title. Because, first time out, he nearly always does.
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