Golfer Rory McIlroy David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Rory McIlroy the favorite ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 1/25/23

It has been an interesting week for Rory McIlroy as he readies for the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. But some shenanigans with Patrick Reed haven't done anything to impact where sportsbooks think the World No. 1 golfer will finish this weekend at Emirates Golf Club.

McIlroy is the clear favorite to win this weekend's European Tour event, leading the pack at +330 odds to win it all according to DraftKings. The next favorite on the field, Tyrrell Hatton, is listed at a whopping +1100 behind the Irishman.

Rory McIlroy headlines Hero Dubai Desert Classic ️‍♂️
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) January 25, 2023

A victory over the weekend would be great for kicking off McIlroy's 2023 campaign. The pressure is great being the top-ranked golfer in the world, especially with Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler nipping at his heels in the standings. Winning a third Dubai Desert Classic would no doubt be a good start to defending a strong -- albeit major-less -- 2022 season.

At this rate, McIlroy probably just wants the event to get underway so sports media can go back to focusing on his golf game and not the antics caused by Reed. Footage surfaced from practice this week of McIlroy choosing to not engage with Reed when the LIV Golfer tried to say hello, which lead to Reed chucking a tee in McIlroy's direction. McIlroy later revealed that Reed had subpoenaed him and Tiger Woods on Christmas Eve and that he was in no mood to be chummy. Frankly, it's hard to blame him for that one.

The 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic tees off on Thursday.

More must-reads: