McIlroy set for Masters

RO RY M c I l roy has confirmed he will play in the British Masters at Close House, Newcastle, next week.

Four-time Major winner McIlroy missed the cut in the Dell Technologies Championship and could only manage a tie for 58th at the BMW Championship.

The Northern Irishman finds himself down t o eighth in the latest world rankings, his lowest position for more than three years.

The former world No 1 has endured an i njuryplagued season and appeared set to only be playing the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, alongside his father Gerry, from October 5-8 before taking several months off to fully recover from a lingering rib injury.

However, the 28-yearold, keen to avoid just his second full winless season since turning professional, is scheduled to join the likes of Masters champion Sergio Garcia and tournament host Lee Westwood in Newcastle.

“I am looking forward to playing my first British Masters f or a while ,” McIlroy said.

“I kind of had it in the back of my mind that if I didn’t make the PGA Tour Championship then there was a chance to tee it up at Close House. So I have decided to do that before finishing my season off the next week at t he Dunhill Links.

“Teeing it up next week gives me one more chance to end 2017 on a high.

“If I can sign off the year with a win or t wo i n Newcastle and then St Andrews I would take so many positives into my six-week recovery period when I am going to reset mentally and physically .”

Rory McIlroy