Wednesday 20 January 2016 17:07, UK
Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of resuming his battle for world No 1 with Jordan Spieth over 2016, starting at this week’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
The world No 3 is making his first start since winning the Race to Dubai crown for the third time in four seasons, having only returned to practice a fortnight ago after eight weeks off.
McIlroy is part of the featured group for the Desert Swing opener alongside Rickie Fowler and Spieth, who is making his maiden appearance in a regular European Tour event.
Spieth has already made a winning start to 2016 with a convincing win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, with McIlroy looking forward to testing himself against the 22-year-old over the opening two rounds.
"Obviously Jordan's been the man of the year and I'm trying to best to catch up with him again," McIlroy told Sky Sports News HQ. "Hopefully if we can continue to play good golf then a rivalry would develop, which would be good for the game.
"I think it's unfair to the rest of the players to really single out of us two. Obviously with Jason Day we're the top three in the world by a little bit, but at the same time there's so many great players out here and you can't rule out anyone.
"Jordan's obviously got off to a great start with the win in Hawaii and Rickie's been playing well, so it will be nice to go out with the two of them and see how we're matching up.
"Abu Dhabi has always been a great place to start the year; I've played well here before but always been the bridesmaid with four runners-up, so hopefully this week I can change that and get a win under my belt early in the season."
McIlroy looks to build on his record of finishing in the top-five in six of his past seven appearances in Abu Dhabi, finishing one stroke short of Gary Stal last year having ended in a tie for second in 2014.
This week's event is the first in a busy year for the Northern Irishman, who underwent laser eye surgery during his winter break, and believes his game in a strong position ahead of a packed schedule.
"It's a course that I love, I really enjoy playing and one that I've done well on before and shot good scores so hopefully that all adds up to a good week," McIlroy added.
"I'm feeling good about my golf game and about my swing. I felt practice went really well, but you don't really know until you go out on the course.
"It's going to be a big year and there's a lot to play for. My game's in a great place and I've got a great opportunity to build on what I've already achieved in my career."
Watch the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Coverage gets underway on Thursday from 3.30am.
