Rory McIlroy suffered desert disaster for the second time in two months when he carved his three-wood approach into the water at the 18th and missed out on a playoff for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

THE IRISH OPEN's troublesome mid-summer date could force star attraction Rory McIlroy to miss the event for the third time in four years.

Rory McIlroy has indicated he might skip this year's Irish Open at Mount Juliet because of his busy PGA Tour schedule this summer.

Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy is returning to Emirates Golf Club in January in a bid to win his third Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic title.