Now he can catch Donald in the European Order of Merit by winning the Dubai World Championship and hoping the Englishman is down the leaderboard.
But the 22-year-old’s preparations have been hampered by ill health, he revealed today, having contracted a virus in recent weeks.
“I won’t get the results back until later on this week,” he told the European Tour website, “I picked up a virus and my white blood cell count was very low, so the tests were to see if it’s back up again.”
“I’m not energy-wise where I want to be, but I took a day off yesterday and took it easy. I’m going to play the pro-am today and practise and I’ll probably take another day off tomorrow – maybe hit a few balls.
“I’ll really try and conserve my energy and focus it all into the four tournament days. I’m not 100%, but I’m still able to go out and play 18 holes and try and give it my all,” he added.
Despite the illness, McIlroy insists he is up for one final charge – after a hectic few months on tour.
“I’m excited,” he said, “There’s a lot to play for. I’ve still got a slim chance of trying to win The Race to Dubai, and so it’s nice to just have that coming to the quick.
“I’ve got to win and Luke has to finish outside the top nine or 10, whatever it is. I’m really not counting on him to do that because he’s only finished outside the top 10 about twice this year. So it’s going to be a tough ask but I’ll give my best and it would be great to finish the year on a high.”
All the fuss and money involved about putting a tiny ball in a hole. O dear he has a virus. Let’s pray he recovers in time to earn another 10 million. Meanwhile here comes another advert with a starving, dying child. This world is sick.
A sports website reports on the fitness of an athlete ahead of an important competition. What are you on about? The story is relevant to a sports website. If thescore.ie started reporting on child starvation statistics I would not continue to read it.
McIlroy’s talent is genuinely world class. “Putting a tiny ball into a hole” is not easy. I know you’re trolling, but the temptation to respond to such a moronic comment was too great.
Sure, he won a major but I think your extremely generous in branding him the best British golfer ever… He has alot to learn and alot to win before he can shoulder that accolade.
Sorry Gerry. Totally bored today but I promise I’ll get out more in future. Maybe do 19 hole at the weekend in me lovely new slacks. Try and get me handicap down to double figures.
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All the fuss and money involved about putting a tiny ball in a hole. O dear he has a virus. Let’s pray he recovers in time to earn another 10 million. Meanwhile here comes another advert with a starving, dying child. This world is sick.
hahaha…..I’m glad I’m not living your life! cheer up would ya!
A sports website reports on the fitness of an athlete ahead of an important competition. What are you on about? The story is relevant to a sports website. If thescore.ie started reporting on child starvation statistics I would not continue to read it.
McIlroy’s talent is genuinely world class. “Putting a tiny ball into a hole” is not easy. I know you’re trolling, but the temptation to respond to such a moronic comment was too great.
I think you may be lost so here ya go: http://www.thejournal.ie/
Deal with your issues Lou,
Lou what I cant work out is why you bother to read the thread at all… now loosen up and get out a bit more.
Sure, he won a major but I think your extremely generous in branding him the best British golfer ever… He has alot to learn and alot to win before he can shoulder that accolade.
Best British golfer ever in my opinion, fair play to him!
Bit premature to say that surely? Faldo won six majors and Rory has a long way to go to beat that! Best of luck to him anyway
True
Rory getting his excuses in in advance. That’s not like him :-|
Love those negative reds. Think I’ll give myself one too. Love the game really. Putting that little ball into that hole in the ground. Amazing
It’s a sports site pet. If you don’t like the game don’t read the articles. Nobodys making you.
Has declared for Britain?
No. It’s just the usual and predictable labelling that goes on under all McIlroy stories trying to stir up a largely irrelevant issue.
It appears he has recovered. Wow that must have been a bad sneeze.
Sorry Gerry. Totally bored today but I promise I’ll get out more in future. Maybe do 19 hole at the weekend in me lovely new slacks. Try and get me handicap down to double figures.