Rory plans major push in 2018

RORY McILROY has announced he will play at least seven events in early 2018 in a busy build-up to the US Masters, where he will attempt to complete the grand slam of major titles in April. McIlroy said on his website that he would start his campaign with two events in the Middle East in January − the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Dubai Desert Classic. The Irishman will then switch his focus to the US where he will contest five tournaments in six weeks, starting at Pebble Beach in February. His schedule includes no mention of the WGCMexico Championship, which falls in the middle of his busy stretch.

All of the events will be part of his preparation for the April 5-8 Masters at Augusta National, an event he needs to win to complete the modern grand slam of all four majors.

Former world No.1 McIlroy (below) is currently having an extended break from competition after an injuryhampered 2017 during which he did not win a tournament anywhere in the world for the first time since 2008.

The four-times major winner also sacked long-time caddie JP Fitzgerald and replaced him with close friend Harry Diamond, who is expected to stay on the bag. McIlroy, 28, has slipped to 10th in the world rankings. He faces an important season as he attempts to keep pace with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka, who all won majors this year. Meanwhile, India’s Shubhanker Sharma shot a 65 to claim a five-shot lead at the Joburg Open to enter the final round with an excellent chance of claiming a maiden pro title. Sharma, 21, who carded a 61 on Friday, sank seven birdies and has a total of 20 under par, five shots ahead of secondplaced Swede Christofer Blomstrand.