Rory McIlroy says he is as excited and ambitious as ever as he begins his 17th full season on the DP World Tour, with Major Championship success at the forefront of his focus.
Since turning professional in 2007, the Northern Irishman has become one of the greatest players of his generation, with four Major Championships, 41 career titles and five Ryder Cup victories.
Last year saw the 34-year-old win two Rolex Series titles as he claimed the season-long Race to Dubai for a fifth time.
After seven top tens in his last eight starts at Majors, McIlroy is hoping he can convert his consistent performances into winning “one of the big ones” ten years on from his last Major triumph at the 2014 US PGA Championship at Valhalla (also host to the 2024 edition).
But before Major season arrives later in the year, the World Number Two will be looking to start 2024 off on a high note as he tees it up in this week's inaugural Dubai Invitational.
"I think every new year [brings] new opportunities, new goals," said McIlroy on the eve of the tournament.
"My consistency has really been there over the last couple of years, without winning one of the big ones, and I think that's the final piece of the puzzle for me.
"Especially coming out of COVID and sort of going through some dips in my game and then coming back up and playing so well the last couple years.
"The final piece of the puzzle is trying to knock off one of those four."
My consistency has really been there over the last couple of years, without winning one of the big ones, and I think that's the final piece of the puzzle for me.
McIlroy is the headline act at the Dubai Invitational which features a smaller field of 60 professionals for a 72-hole strokeplay event, with a three-day Pro-Am team event being staged from Thursday to Saturday before the professionals take centre stage on Sunday.
It will be the first of back-to-back weeks in the United Arab Emirates for the reigning European Number One, who will defend his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title next week.
"I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks," he added.
"This is a different way to start the season than previous ones. Obviously we played Abu Dhabi and then Dubai. Abu Dhabi is now at the end of the year, which is exciting, because another big tournament at the end of the season could decide the season-long race.
"This is a nice, maybe gentler introduction back into golf with this Pro-Am format this week at the Creek, and then obviously looking ahead to the Dubai Desert Classic next week also.
"I just thought it was a good opportunity to get on the golf course, get a card in my hand but in a more relaxed setting, so I'm excited for the week."
