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Rory McIlroy withdraws from Dubai Desert Classic, continuing rehab on rib injury

January 23, 2017
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A week after pulling out of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the upcoming Dubai Desert Classic. The European Tour's Twitter account confirmed the news Monday afternoon.

The move is not a total surprise. After losing in a playoff at the South African Open, the world's No. 2 player underwent tests that showed a stress fracture in his ribs. (McIlroy competed the final three days in Johannesburg with his back taped up.) As Golf Digest's Ron Kaspriske reported last week, McIlroy will likely be sidelined for four-to-six weeks with the injury.

The Dubai Desert Classic has been a special place for McIlroy. He made his first European Tour cut as a 17-year-old amateur in 2007, and the 2009 tournament was his first professional win.

McIlroy has committed to the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club, which begins Feb. 16, as well as the following week's Honda Classic.