Amy warms to task despite having cold
FOR Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy’s other rivals for a place at the summit of the world rankings, 2018 could be a case of “beware the wounded golfer”.
McIlroy has endured a fair share of physical and metaphorical cuts and bruises during a frustrating campaign and, such is his determination to make amends next year, the Northern Irishman will bring the curtain down on his season at this week’s Dunhill Links pro-am in Scotland.
The world No6 is taking a 10-day holiday after the Dunhill. He will then undergo a series of fitness checks on his return and does not anticipate hitting any golf balls until the end of November.
“I’m looking forward to just getting myself right, getting myself healthy, and then being able to practise as much as I want and feel prepared going into each and every tournament, instead of feeling like I’m playing catch-up all the time,” he revealed last week.
The signs were ominous from the start of the year, as McIlroy suffered a rib problem after hitting a lot of balls in off-season practice while trying to decide on new equipment after Nike decided to stop producing clubs.
The injury flared up when he lost a play-off to England’s Graeme Storm at the South African Open in January and he was sidelined until March.
The four-times Major winner continued to feel discomfort when he AMY TINKLER defied illness and injury to lead the British charge on the second day of the gymnastics World Championships in Montreal last night, writes Matt Majendie.
Britain’s youngest medallist from last year’s Olympics — with bronze on the floor — has since been held back by an ankle injury, while this week she has been suffering with a cold. However, she tops qualification for the women’s all-around competition with a score of 52.831 points, with more competitors due to perform today. returned and the rib problem eventually led to a back complaint. “I feel like I haven’t been able to do the preparation that will allow me to play my best golf,” said McIlroy.
“I’m giving myself an offseason and looking forward to improving my health, improving my game and becoming a better player in 2018.”
Most pros would be delighted with the results he has delivered this season but, for the player widely regarded as the finest natural talent in the game today, they have not been good enough. McIlroy has registered seven top-10 finishes on the US and European tours but, crucially, he has yet to enter the winner’s circle.
He now needs to lift the Dunhill title to avoid going through an entire season without a victory for the first time since 2008, the year after he turned pro.
As well as injuries and loss of form, McIlroy has had other distractions this year. He parted company with longterm caddie JP Fitzgerald in July while, on the plus side, he married Erica Stoll in April.
Before he undergoes what he describes as a “full health MOT”, the 28-year-old is looking forward to returning to the Dunhill event for the first time since 2014.
And, after closing rounds of 64 and 63 helped him surge through the field to finish second behind Irishman Paul Dunne at last week’s British Masters, few would bet against him pulling off his 14th European Tour victory this week.
The 17-year-old said: “I’m buzzing. I’ve had some injury difficulties this year and have felt a bit ill all week, so to have made it through is a huge relief.”
Tinkler could be joined in the final by Alice Kinsella, whose score makes her as a contender for one of the 24 final spots later in the week. Claudia Fragapane topped the floor standings, while Georgia-Mae Fenton boasts the best score in bars qualifying. Both need to be in the top eight to reach their respective finals.