I can nearly see my own private practice course from up here!

RORY McILROY heads into this week’s defence of his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title by signing the biggest single deal of his short professional career.

The Dubai-based Jumeirah Group has signed 20-year old McIlroy to a new three-year sponsorship arrangement believed to be worth €3 million and €5 million. The three-time Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star also has deals with Bennett, an Irish construction and property development company, FL Partners, a Dublin-based private equity firm, Lough Erne Golf Resort, Titleist and Footjoy.

Gerald Lawless, the Irish executive chairman of the Jumeirah Group, joined McIlroy and Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, who manages McIlroy, yesterday in a signing of McIlroy’s new contract.

“We have been really proud and privileged to be associated with Rory right from the beginning,” said Lawless.

“Alaister Murray, who is our chief financial officer, comes from the same town as Rory in Northern Ireland, and who has been saying: ‘We have a young amateur in Northern Ireland, and we have to sponsor him’.

“And every year, Alastair comes back and says: ‘He’s doing really well, he’s doing really well, we have to sponsor him.’ So I said, ‘stop talking about it, go and do it.’”

Chandler was later approached and though he would not confirm a figure, revealed the deal is worth “seven figures”.

“I was absolutely amazed when they said ‘we want to have a shot at renewal’,” said Chandler. “The fringe benefits with this deal is great. The way Jumeirah treat you is great and the working relationship between us is great.”

It means also that McIlroy can easily afford practice facilities he’s installing around his palatial Moneyreagh house in Co. Down.

“On one side of the house, I have a short game area which is going to consist of a 600-square metre chipping green with run-offs and bunkers and everything,” McIlroy said. “Around the green I’m going to have three par 3s with different yardages. And then on one side of the house I’m going to have a range that’s going to be about 240 to 250 yards long.

“It means Paul Hurrion, my putting coach, will be able to come over and give me a lesson and Michael Bannon, my coach, can also come to the house. It makes it a lot easier that you don’t have to go somewhere else; you can always stay at home if the weather allows you to!”

Earlier in the day, Darren Clarke found himself being brushed aside from working on his putting when Ryder Cup officials needed a photoshoot with Colin Montgomerie on the Dubai practice putting green.

The Tour had announced Emirates Airlines would be the official airline sponsor for the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cups and wanted a photo of Monty putting on the green with officials, with two Emirates in-flight stewardesses looking on. Clarke is desperate to be a member of Monty’s side and while Clarke was interrupted from his practice for 10 minutes, the Dungannon star is long enough on Tour to know the importance of Tour promotion.

“I’ve just managed to find the straightest part of the putting green,” said Clarke, smiling.

“You better not take too long because I am trying to work on my six footers. And if I miss any six-footers this week, it’s your fault.” Monty responded smiling: “I know it’s my fault. It always is.”