Rory McIlroy believes that his stunning final round at the Abu Dhabi Championship has given him huge confidence in his quest for a seventh Race to Dubai title. 

McIlroy carded a sensational bogey-free 62, which included eight birdies and one eagle to register his lowest round of the year, but it was only enough to finish tied for third. 

The Northern Irishman finished a shot behind play-off winner Aaron Rai and Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood, but he was able to extend his advantage in the DP World Tour's season-long standings over Marco Penge. 

With Penge finishing on 20-under in Abu Dhabi, McIlroy holds a sizeable 767-point lead over the Englishman, with Tyrrell Hatton the only other player who can catch him. 

Following his recent display, McIlroy was upbeat about his chances of getting to within one of Colin Montgomerie's eight Harry Vardon Trophy victories at Jumeriah Golf Estates. 

"Obviously, we ended up one short but a great day of golf and a great way to end the week," McIlroy said. "Also a great way to sort of go into next week in Dubai, as well.

"I just tried to keep my foot down and make as many birdies as possible knowing that I'm trying to win this tournament but also give myself the biggest cushion possible going into next week [DP World Tour Championship]."

A sensational final round from @McIlroyRory #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/ATAmqfesgS

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 9, 2025

McIlroy arrives at the DP Tour World Championship as the defending champion following last year's two-shot victory over Rasmus Hojgaard. 

Having previously won the event in 2012 and 2015, the 36-year-old also has nine previous top-five finishes at the Dubai course. 

"I really like that golf course," McIlroy said. "It really suits me.

"Probably suits me a little bit better than this course [Yas Links] does, just in terms of what you need to do off the tee and into the greens.

"This was a great confidence builder this week coming off a couple weeks off and hopefully [I can] just produce more of the same Thursday and onwards."