The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
In-form McIlroy could be the key
Breaking the Ice Eve Muirhead
This time next week the Ryder Cup will be under way. A few weeks ago, everything seemed to be going America’s way but Justin Rose getting to world number one was a muchneeded boost for team Europe.
To have the best golfer on the planet in your team – who could potentially win you five points – is a big deal.
Thomas Bjorn will be hoping that there is another psychological blow landed at this weekend’s Tour Championship in America.
If he could pick anybody to win, I bet it would be Rory McIlroy.
It’s been an up and down year for him, and any season when he doesn’t win a major will probably be looked upon as a failure given the standards he sets. His last tournament victory was way back in March.
The importance of an in-form McIlroy in Paris next week can’t be overstated.
If he thinks he’s the main man then it will bring out the best in him. And a win with all the American big-hitters competing against him over the next few days would be perfect for his ego.
There are 11 of team America and only five of team Europe in the field but I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.
Rest or competition the week before a huge event is a very personal choice but, from my own point of view, I’ve come to the conclusion that not competing works best.
Mind you if I had the millions to play for that the golfers do at the Tour Championship, I think I could be persuaded to change my mind! Progressing well
I’ve had another week of intense work at Bisham Abbey.
It’s a small world – I’m in a house with the canoeist Eilidh Gibson and I’ve discovered that we went to the same primary school at Portmoak.
With Eilidh Doyle and Laura Muir, Kinross-shire has done pretty well in the last few years!
I’ve been told that I’ve made big progress since I was last down six weeks ago.
All the strength tests are going well and I’m really pleased that the hard work I’ve been putting in is paying off.
We’re now in a position where I can start to think about competing again.
I’m planning to travel with the girls to Stockholm at the start of October but I won’t play in that event.
We’ve then got a trip to Canada, where we’ll be working with our coach Glenn Howard, and all being well hopefully I’ll be able to play some games in the competition starting on the 18th.
The following week is the first grand slam in Nova Scotia and that’s the one I’ve targeted to play every game.
I’ve already been throwing 16 stones on each session on the ice, and that’s the equivalent of a game a day.
And once I’m home from Bisham Abbey, I’ll have another three-and-ahalf weeks to build on that.
If I don’t think I’m quite ready, I won’t rush it. That wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the team.
But everything has been positive and if I do get back to competition in a few weeks that will mean I’ve made it in just over five months after serious hip surgery, which will make me feel pretty proud.