DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Rory McIlroy hopes the worst is behind him going into the Dubai Desert Classic after a series of critical mistakes denied him the title last week at the Dubai Invitational.

The four-time major winner finished a shot behind Tommy Fleetwood after a three-putt bogey from two feet in the final round and a hooked tee shot into the water on the last hole.

He also made a quadruple bogey earlier in the tournament, which marked his 2024 season debut and first outing since the DP World Tour Championship in November.

Asked on Wednesday if last week's narrow miss was a good omen, McIlroy said: "I'd like to think so.

"I haven't played a ton of competitive golf since the Ryder Cup. I only played four rounds in the DP World Tour Championship, and I wouldn't say I was 100 percent motivated (having already secured the Race to Dubai title the week before).

"I feel like I've had a three-month off-season. You're going to come back and you're going to make some of those mistakes early on. It was good to play an event like last week where you can learn from them and try to put those things right this week."

"I would have loved to have won last week, but even with all those mistakes I made, the fact that I still had a one-shot lead going down the last, it says to me that my game is in really good shape," he added.

"I hit the ball well. I felt like I putted well for the most part and if I do the same again this week on a golf course that I know really well, I should have a good chance."

McIlroy beat Patrick Reed by one stroke to win last year's Dubai Desert Classic after a stunning display over the back nine in the final round.

He is now tied with Ernie Els as a three-time winner of the event and can surpass the South African by winning an unprecedented fourth title.

The world No. 2, a resident in Dubai for nearly four years before moving to Florida, has deep connections with the Desert Classic, his first professional win in 2009.