Former World No 1 admits it's been a frustrating title-less season
World No 6 Rory McIlroy admitted yesterday he is mentally drained from a frustrating season, where he is yet to win a tournament, with just two more events to go.u00a0The Northern Irishman has only this week’s Australian Open in Sydney followed by the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles next week to break the jinx.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy on the 18th hole during the second round of the WGC- HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China earlier this month. Pic/Getty Images
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His best finishes this year were runner-up spots in the Valero Texas Open and the recent Korean Open, with the former World No 1 feeling the pace. “I’m looking forward to a break after playing Tiger’s event next week as it’s been a long year mentally for me rather than physically,” said McIlroy. “Physically, golf doesn’t take that much out of you but mentally it is quite draining.
And especially for me this year not just being frustrated with my game but having to answer all the questions and come up with reasons why I am not playing well and all that stuff,” added the former World No 1.
Off-season ahead
“But then it’s great to be going into the off-season feeling comfortable with my game and knowing that I am on the right track and knowing that I can start the new season strongly. So I am excited about that aspect and besides I still have two tournaments left this year and I would love to get a win, whether it is here or in Tiger’s event in LA.”
McIlroy last played in Sydney at the 2006 Australian Open as an amateur but failed to break 70 on any of the four days to finish well down the field.
“I can remember most of the golf course but then I can’t remember much of how I played that week,” he said of Royal Sydney, where he will play the opening two rounds with fellow US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and PGA Tour member Matt Jones.
“But it was just nice to get back out there today for the pro-am as it’s great shape and hopefully after all the rain I hear they’ve had in Sydney it will dry out and play the way Royal Sydney should play.”u00a0McIlroy wound up his preparations by hosting a clinic for some 250 children, delighting them with an array of shots.
The Australian Open marks the first of a number of tournaments, including the Irish, French and Scottish Opens, where the top three players among the leading 10, who are not otherwise exempt, will earn a place in the Open Championship.
The initiative by the St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club will do away with international qualifying.u00a0The Australian Open also marks the end of the 2013 Australasian Tour with the leading money winner — currently Adam Scott — also gaining exemption to the British Open.u00a0
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