McIlroy feeling good as he approaches return

RORY McIlroy feels a first win since September 2016 is “not far away” as he prepares to make his competitive comeback in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, two thirds and a fifth in his last eight starts. However, he missed last year’s event with the rib injury which disrupted his entire season.

The four-time Major winner called an early end to his winless campaign, just the second of his professional career, in October, but has been practising hard over the winter, despite revealing he has an irregular heartbeat.

“I’d love to win again,” McIlroy said: “I don’t think there is any better feeling than winning a golf tournament.

“I’ve practised and I’ve played, obviously not competitively in a proper tournament, but I’ve shot some really good scores over the last few weeks.

“That’s different from being out here with a card in your hand. However, from everything I’ve seen in practice, there is no reason to think it is not that far away.”

McIlroy is scheduled to play eight events before attempting to complete the career grand slam with victory in the Masters, although he believes a win is not essential to his chances at Augusta National.

McIlroy, who has finished in the top 10 in the last four years at Augusta, added: “I don’t need to win but I’d love to.”

WINTER GOLF

DOWNFIELD

Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy are pictured ahead of the the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship which starts tomorrow.