McIlroy is set to lead the race to win the Harry Vardon Trophy for a fourth time.
"I've had some success around here and I've had some great memories in Dubai in general,’ McIlroy said ahead of teeing it up at the fifth and final Rolex Series event of the year. ‘I've won four times across this tournament and the Desert Classic.’
The world number one has previously won twice at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course which favors the big hitters, and holds a slender 128.1-point advantage over Ryan Fox in the season-long DP World Tour Rankings.
Tee times for Thursday start at 8.35 am local time.
Saudi Arabia reach Gulf Cup semis as Iraq win thriller
Sulaiman Abdulrahman wins UAE's first medal at Asian Games
De Minaur stuns Zverev as Team World take 5-3 lead in Laver Cup
Russell fends off Verstappen to win in Baku, Antonelli fifth
Ireland to fulfil Nations League fixture with Israel after player vote
