Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy is in Dubai this week for the fourth and final leg of the European Tour's Middle East visit.

McIlroy secured his first European Tour title when he won the Desert Classic two years ago, and this week he joins his fellow Irish golfers Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley at the big event.

The showdown beings on Thursday with the drama building due to the much heralded return of Tiger Woods to the European Tour arena once again.

Also competing will be the current world number one and two, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer.

That accomplished lineup means that for the first time since 1994 the leading three players on the official World Golf Ranking will tee up together in a mainstream European Tour event.

Last April, McIlroy became the youngest player ever to win a PGA Tour title when he emerged victorious in the Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina.