McIlroy targets Mexico return
Rory McIlroy is hoping to return to competitive golf at the WGC-Mexico Championship as he battles injury.
The world number two has a stress fracture in a rib that emerged during the BMW South Africa Open in Ekurhuleni, where he played through the pain to a play-off defeat.
Intensive equipment and ball-testing sessions in the off-season and a minor swing change have been blamed for the injury.
"I knew it was going to be a busy off-season with everything I had to get sorted, but I never imagined that hitting so many balls would lead to this [injury], but that's the way it goes," McIlroy said.
"Now I'm just focused on trying to get as healthy as possible before we tee it up again in a few weeks."
The Mexico tournament runs from March 2 through March 5.
With rest instructed, McIlroy said his past few weeks have involved watching Australian Open tennis and Sherlock on television.
"Watching a lot of tennis, watched Nadal today, watched Federer yesterday. Started watching Sherlock, which is more of a British TV show with Benedict Cumberbatch on Netflix. It's actually been OK," he said.
"It's been a week where I haven't really done much, but did 45 minutes in the gym today starting a little bit of rehab stuff, just trying to make sure the movement is all there and making sure there's range and everything, so today has been much better than the past few days."
"Obviously this probably isn't the perfect preparation [for the Masters in Augusta from April 6 to April 9], but at the same time it could be a blessing in disguise."
"It gives me five or six weeks where I can just purely work on my short game this year, so there's no excuses going to Augusta about not having a sharp short game this year, so we'll see."
Latest
-
NewsWATCH: Bryson DeChambeau explains how he’ll approach the Masters
The American plans to be even more aggressive than he was in November.
-
NewsMasters glory would make Rory McIlroy a ‘legend’ – Nick Dougherty
The 31-year-old is bidding to join a select group of players who have claimed all four major titles.
-
NewsPete Cowen tells Rory McIlroy to focus on the future rather than the past
McIlroy would complete a career grand slam with victory at Augusta National.
-
News‘Excited’ Jordan Spieth feels there is more to come after overdue win
The 2015 Masters champion goes into this week’s event at Augusta on the back of victory at the Valero Texas Open.
-
NewsJon Rahm celebrates arrival of baby son on weekend before Masters begins
The Spaniard had previously said he would miss the tournament to be at the birth.
-
NewsAndy North backs Bryson DeChambeau to ‘lap the field’ at Masters
North feels the big-hitting American will get his hands on a green jacket in the future.
-
NewsButch Harmon says Rory McIlroy ‘needs to go back to the basic fundamentals’
McIlroy has employed another renowned golf guru in Pete Cowen to help him iron out the flaws in his game.
-
NewsMasters debutant Joe Long savouring Augusta experience after surfing scare
The Amateur Championship winner suffered a torn muscle while surfing in Cape Town.
-
NewsDustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy fighting for form ahead of Masters return
Johnson is the defending champion.
-
NewsThe main talking points ahead of the Masters at Augusta National
Rory McIlroy faces an uphill task to complete a career grand slam after a loss of form.