• European Tour

McIlroy taking driving lessons ahead of Dubai return

Rory McIlroy wants his first win of 2012 as soon as possible © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• Out of Bounds: Desert form gives Tiger much to ponder
  
• News: Clarke splits from Open-winning caddie
  
• News: Tiger back in top 20 despite Abu Dhabi disappointment
  
• Profile: Thomas Bjorn | Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is eager to get his first win of 2012 at next week's Dubai Desert Classic, after coming up agonisingly short in Abu Dhabi.

McIlroy was pipped to victory at Abu Dhabi Golf Club by just a single shot, as Robert Rock held off both the Northern Irishman and Tiger Woods to claim the most significant victory of his career to date.

McIlroy's frustration was compounded by the fact he picked up a two-shot penalty on Friday - a rules infraction that ultimately cost him victory.

McIlroy has form at the Desert Classic, having claimed his maiden professional victory there in 2009, and is determined to arrive at the tournament with his A-game.

"Yeah, really looking forward to a course I've done well at before and great memories," McIlroy said. "Looking forward to getting another week's worth of practise and coming out and trying to challenge for that title and my first title of the year."

McIlroy has spent much of the off-season in the gym strengthening his core, but with the season back underway is now focusing more on his swing mechanics. Improving his accuracy off the tee is his current priority.

"[I'll] work on still the same things that I was working on coming into [last] week, a little bit of posture, trying to get the club in the right position on the way back," he added. "[In Abu Dhabi] I improved off the tee every day. [On Sunday] I didn't miss a fairway until the 11th I think, and that was a big improvement and something I still have to work on."

McIlroy is not playing in the Qatar Masters in Doha this week, but defending champion Thomas Bjorn is one player who is. The Dane has credited victory in the tournament 12 months ago with giving him the belief that he could go on to win tournaments on a regular basis - as he went on to claim two more titles later in the year.

"You always go back with fond memories to a golf course you've won on," said Bjorn. "I won in Portugal in 2010, but to do it in a field that was a lot stronger meant a lot - it was a very special week for me.

"I have to say that the way I played coming down the stretch was excellent and it laid a lot of the groundwork for what I did the rest of the year. It was definitely a change for me mentally.

"In the past I found it very difficult to get into positions to win golf tournaments, but in Qatar I suddenly realised that when I get into such positions, I am quite capable of getting over the line.

"I think that was a big difference, and it showed again in Scotland and in Switzerland; that when I'm there on a Sunday I can, at times, be very difficult to beat."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.