Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from next week's Dubai Desert Classic as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his ribs.

The Northern Irishman suffered the setback while playing at the South Africa Open earlier this month, where he finished runner-up to Graeme Storm following a play-off.

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He sat out last week's Abu Dhabi Championship with the issue, and the European Tour confirmed Monday that he would remain out of action.

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will not play next week's as he continues to recover from a rib injury.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour)

This year's tournament Feb. 2-5 would have seen the world No. 2 pitted against 14-time major champion Tiger Woods, also a two-time winner of the Dubai event.