Rory McIlroy: I have to beat 142 players, not just Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth fell foul of a crackdown on slow play as a “masterclass” from Rory McIlroy ensured the world number three won their first duel of the year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

In a promotional event before the championship from January 21-24, World No. 1 Spieth led fellow American Rickie Fowler against No. 3 Rory McIlroy and Swede Henrik Stenson in a U.S. versus Europe “Rider Cup” race.

All times are local, subtract 9 hours for Eastern time, etc.

‘It was an absolute masterclass, the Rory we have seen winning majors, and he would have had a truly spectacular score on a very challenging golf course but for a couple of lip-outs, ‘ he said. “There was one person clapping around the green, and it didn’t sound like it was something really good happening”, Bjorn said. “That was one of the reasons why I took this step”.

“(Spieth) has been the man of the year”, McIlroy said.

“Hopefully I can prevent that to an extent”.

“It was the problem that forced me to withdraw before the start of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last May”, the 41-year-old told the Evening News.

“The way I look at it right now, I look at them equal”, said the 22-year-old Masters and US Open champion.

“Why not?” said McIlroy.

The more serious business relates to McIlroy’s quest to overhaul Spieth, who surged to the top of the world following a hugely successful 2015. I also did some work with (coaches) Pete Cowen, Mike Walker and Phil Kenyon and, in addition to my hand
being fine, it felt like a small pre-season. Other, more sensible golf watchers, would argue the golf season starts with the first PGA Tour event of 2016, in that traditional starting spot of Kapalua on Maui.

Stenson, 39, had missed the cut in Abu Dhabi in each of the previous two years and was returning to competitive golf after knee surgery, but the amiable Swede showed few ill effects as he sank eight birdies between his fourth and 17th holes before bogeying the last.

What made Thursday’s action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship special was the proximity of the divergent styles. “Jordan was assessed a monitoring penalty after his putt on the eighth hole, which I advised him of as he walked to the ninth tee”. “You want to win tournaments and you want to achieve things, but it’s about how to go about that on your off weeks, what you need to do, preparing technically, physically, mentally”.

“We are going to have to — all as team members — put a lot of thought into this ahead of time on how we want to prepare, so that when we get there, we know the teams, we can then play matches against each other”.

“I just wish that my hotel was closer”, Spieth said, referring to Wednesday’s practice round.

“Last year, I kind of wanted more of a break”.

Asked what his secret of doing so well on the National course was, McIlroy added: “I don’t think I want to be giving too much away!” It would take another shot to secure the putting surface and three more to find the hole.