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Have a break: Rory McIlroy to rest up after Dubai disappointment

“I think this week was one too many. But Luke deserves it. Basically every time he’s teed it up he’s had a chance or he’s finished in the top five or top 10.”

RORY MCILROY HAS decided to skip this week’s event in Thailand.

The US Open champion made the call on doctor’s advice and will stay on in Dubai for a few days’ rest before flying home to Ireland.

The Holywood native missed out on the Race to Dubai title to Luke Donald over the weekend; the tournament was ‘one too many’ he said afterwards in the wake of a hectic recent schedule.

As well as that, McIlroy has been suffering from a virus – suspected to be Dengue, initially – so is looking forward to folding away his clubs for a while.

“I think this week was one too many,” he said, ”But Luke deserves it. Basically every time he’s teed it up he’s had a chance or he’s finished in the top five or top 10.

“Mentally you have to be so good just to keep grinding out the scores when you need to. But I’ve made great progress this year – with my game, with my results, with everything.

“I feel like I’m swinging the club as good as I ever have and I feel like my body is as strong as it’s ever been. I’ve won my first Major and my goals are just to win tournaments and try to become a multiple Major champion.”

McIlroy now plans to relax for the Christmas period and return before the Abu Dhabi Championship on 20 January.

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