Rory rues dismal start

Joy Chakravarty 01:00 21/11/2016
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  • Too little too late: McIlroy.

    World No2 Rory McIlroy finished his 2016 season with a sparkling round of golf – a seven-under par 65 – and was left to rue what could have been if he had a better opening round in the tournament.

    The Northern Irishman said he was still in “holiday mode” when he opened with a three-over par 75 – his only over-par round in 32 rounds played in the eight editions of the tournament so far.

    The 65, shot in the company of Henrik Stenson, who took away McIlroy’s European No1 crown, included a stretch of five holes with four birdies and an eagle. It came after a bogey on the fourth hole, to which he later added another dropped shot on the 11th.

    “It was nice. Really got it going around the end of the front nine there and thought there could have been something really special on,” said McIlroy.

    “Looking at the board, I was six-under through nine, thinking I was maybe three or two behind at that point… yeah, wasn’t quite meant to be. I just didn’t quite keep that momentum going into the back nine, but still a good 65 to finish. I played nicely and I am looking forward to a few weeks off.

    “Looking back on the week, Thursday’s the day that I’m going to rue…If I had even just shot something around level par, 1-under, I would have been right in the tournament. But these things happen. I played well for the remaining three days and at least I redeemed myself a little bit.”

    McIlroy was full of praise for Stenson, who, between them, have won the previous four DP World Tour Championships and the last five Race to Dubai titles.

    “He’s had a phenomenal year and he’s won the Race to Dubai. He deserves it,” said McIlroy, who dropped to fifth in the European rankings, overtaken by runner-up Tyrrell Hatton.

    “It’s a great achievement. I think what you need to do, especially someone like Henrik, who plays both sides of the Atlantic and plays two tours, you have to have those big wins, and obviously winning The Open was huge for him.

    “You know, he’s been one of most consistent players in the world the last, nearly ten years I guess. I remember when he won the Dubai Desert Classic back in 2006, I think, and I was still an amateur at the time and he was winning. He’s been one of the most consistent players for the last few years.”

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