To be playing in the same tournament as Tiger is special for me

While the pairing of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods is the major draw in the Dubai Desert Classic, Shane Lowry is just happy to be there.

The immediate past and present World No. 1s will play the opening two rounds together in this week’s 25th anniversary of the Classic.

After victory in last month’s Australian Open, and then sharing second place with Phil Mickelson in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago, 24-year-old McIlroy is quietly confident of repeating his 2009 Dubai success.