Rory McIlroy clearly displayed how driven he remains to end the season on a victory note in avoiding the distraction of a row of Ferraris, a former Miss World and a golf course full of stunning models at the Els Club in Dubai.

There was no Turkish delight for Pádraig Harrington in Antalya yesterday, while an absent Graeme McDowell has lost his second place in the Race to Dubai.

Rory McIlroy’s official unveiling with sports giant Nike took on Academy Award presentation proportions but with the world number one denying his reputed $200m (€150m) deal is about the money.