I’LL LAUNCH RESCUE BID, VOWS RORY

After missing the Open, rory McIlroy admits he has a chance to make up for what he calls his ‘lost year’ by being crowned european golf’s No 1 for a third time.

In turkey yesterday, McIlroy answered questions with the weariness of a man who knows he has been the architect of his own downfall by damaging his ankle playing football with friends in June.

McIlroy can take a big step towards salvaging something by winning the turkish Airlines Open, the first of four season- ending final Series events on the european tour that will crown the race to Dubai champion.

A major championship it is not, but the Northern Irishman (right), 26, said it would be a great achievement and would help rescue his season.

‘I’d like to win at least one of these last events that I’m playing,’ he said. ‘that would make me feel better about the end of the year, from when I injured my ankle. If I was to go from then to the end of the season without another win it would be very disappointing.’

McIlroy was a touch prickly when asked about the potential for missing out on one of the big events on either side of the Atlantic next May, when the tournament at Quail Hollow is followed in consecutive weeks by the Players Championship, the BMW PGA Championship and the Irish Open. ‘I will answer that closer to the time,’ he said.

Having handed him a special exemption to play in the final Series after injury meant he did not complete the required number of events to qualify, the european tour might feel McIlroy owes them one.

Meanwhile, Ian Poulter has tipped Matt fitzpatrick, the 21-year- old from Sheffield who won the British Masters, to make europe’s ryder Cup team. ‘ It wouldn’t be a shock to see Matt in there,’ he said. ‘It’s lovely to see young blood

playing great golf.’