McIlroy aims for Mexico

RORY McIlroy does not expect to be back in action from a rib injury until the WGC-Mexico Championship in March, just a month before the Masters.

The Northern Irishman missed last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the European To u r subsequently confirmed he would also not take part in the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 27-year-old said: “I am trying to get back for Mexico, t h a t ’s my timetable for return.

“I could maybe get back before that but if I were to play the Honda Classic in Florida and then go straight to Mexico, that would be playing t wo weeks in a row. I would like to ease my way in gently.”

Despite being in pain, McIlroy had competed in the 2017 BMW SA Open, where he finished as runner-up after losing a play-off to Graeme Storm.

The Johannesburg event, which ran from January 12-15, was his only action since wrapping up last season with top-10 finishes at the WGC-HSBC Champions and t h e Wo r l d To u r Championship in Dubai.

Following tests, it was confirmed McIlroy had a stress rib fracture and he was advised to rest.

The enforced l ay-off means McIlroy could now be back in action just a matter of weeks before the start of the Masters at Augusta, which begins on April 6 and is an event in which the four-time Major winner has yet to triumph.

McIlroy, though, believes the planned recover y schedule to compete at the Club de Golf Chapultepec tournament, which finishes on March 5, will give him the best chance of progress.

Rory McIlroy