WORLD NUMBER ONE Rory McIlroy is determined to complete a career Grand Slam next year despite a February court date with former management company Horizon.
McIlroy was speaking before the start of the Dubai World Tour Championship - days after winning the Race to Dubai while standing on the driving range – and insisted he was “better at compartmentalising between stuff that’s happening off the course and then being able to focus on what’s going on on it.”
The Co. Down golfer said:
“Of course I’m annoyed that it’s still going on. But again, it is what it is.
“I’ve been saying that a lot recently; it is what it is, I can’t do anything about it.
“We tried our best a few weeks ago to come to some sort of resolution and it didn’t work.
“So, yeah, it’s not the best thing to be going through, but at the end of the day, it will be over and done with a good bit before I have to go down Magnolia Lane in April and that’s fine by me, as long as I’ve got a clear head going there, I’m happy with that.”
The 25-year old insisted he’s better prepared to deal with such distractions, even joking, he’d become “used to it” over the years.
“ I’ve got used to it. That’s what it is. I’m better at compartmentalising between stuff that’s happening off the course and then being able to focus on what’s going on on the course.
“That stuff, it’s experience, and it gets ingrained in there. I always try and learn from experiences, from mistakes and from success. Life in general is a big learning curve. I just try and learn from everything and move on. I feel I’ve learnt a lot in that regard this year.”
In bullish mood regarding his on course form, anything less than a win this week and Major success next year will be a disappointment for McIlroy.
“Next year, you know, high expectations obviously going into Augusta, wanting to try to complete the career Grand Slam. There’s a lot to play for but if I’m sitting down here this time next year and having not won a major for example, I’d be disappointed, yeah.”
– First published 07.59
