 Rory McIlroy failed to qualify for the Tour Championship in the US |
Rory McIlroy has acknowledged that his latest stint in America took its toll on him and that he needed to get back to Europe. The 21-year-old Northern Irishman is confident that he will be refreshed for his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor after spending last week at home. "I was not my normal self in America the last couple of weeks," he said. "I needed to refresh my mind and I definitely feel I will be going into the Ryder Cup in a better frame." It was McIlroy's original hope that he would be playing this week in Atlanta in the final leg of the FedEx Cup play-offs. But after finishes of 56th, 37th and 37th in the first three events of the series he failed to be among the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship, and now views that as a blessing in disguise. The world number eight had played six of the previous seven weeks and added:"I'm definitely going to look at my schedule. "I've been talking to Chubby (manager Andrew Chandler) about it this morning and we're going to look at where I went wrong, then set a better schedule. "It's been great having the last week at home. That's when I get my best work done and I'm very happy with how it all went.  | 606: DEBATE |
"Obviously it's my first experience (of a Ryder Cup) and one I'm going to try to enjoy. Hopefully the adrenaline will make me play well. "I'm going to be very nervous over my first tee shot, but once you get that out of the way all you are thinking about is winning your match." McIlroy's enthusiasm for the match was called into question when he described it as "an exhibition" last year. But although he still puts success in majors and even world championships higher on his career wish list, he insists he is "up for the cup." "Next week is going to be fantastic. It's definitely not an exhibition, it's a great spectacle. "I said exhibition last year when I was not focused on a team event." The speculation is that McIlroy could be paired with compatriot Graeme McDowell next week after their successful partnership at the Vivendi Trophy last September. "It worked well last year and I'd like to, but whatever Monty thinks I don't mind. "I'm very close to 'GMac' and I think we would both love to partner each other. Hopefully we'll get a couple (of games) and try to make the most of it."
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?