Rory McIlroy primed for Abu Dhabi battle with rival Jordan Spieth

Rory McIlroy will make his first appearance of the 2016 season in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship this week where he will renew his battle for world supremacy with tournament debutant Jordan Spieth.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Jan 2016, 22:26 BST

Updated 18th Jan 2016, 23:29 BST

In his last European Tour appearance in neighbouring Dubai last November, McIlroy claimed both the DP World Tour Championship title and The Race to Dubai crown to complete another stunningly successful season.

It was McIlroy’s fourth victory in Dubai – he also won the DP World Tour Championship in 2012, and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on two occasions – but the Ulsterman is yet to taste success in Abu Dhabi.

In other news, the Challenge Tour unveiled its 2015 schedule yesterday which included the NI Open at Galgorm Castle and the Volopa Irish Challenge at Mount Wolseley.

The Ballymena venue will be hosting a Challenge Tour event for the fourth year in succession from July 28-31st.