Rory McIlroy insists his preparations for the final event of the European Tour season have not been adversely affected by his latest round of discussions with lawyers.
McIlroy surprisingly and belatedly pulled out of two recent events in China by explaining that he needed time to “prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management.” That multi-million pound issue, between McIlroy and his former management firm, is due to reach the commercial court in Dublin early next year. Speculation logically surrounds how the case will impact on McIlroy’s form and focus.
“It has been OK,” said McIlroy of his build-up to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. “In the last week or so, I really put my head down and focused on my golf and everything like that. So that’s been great.
“I’ve actually felt like I’ve had a really good little bit of preparation coming into this event. I feel good with my game and hopefully I’ve done enough work to be ready for Thursday.
“I’m comfortable on this golf course. I’ve played well here, basically every year that we’ve been in Dubai. I got the win here in 2012.
“It would be nice to cap off the season with another win. And I feel like I’m probably a little fresher than most of the guys, as well. I think there’s a few jaded minds and bodies getting off that plane from Turkey the other night. Hopefully I can use that to my advantage and put in a good performance this week.”
McIlroy has already been crowned as the winner of the European Tour’s order of merit for a second time in three years.
“Regardless that I have won the Race to Dubai, I still want to play really well this week and try and win this tournament, because there would be no point in me showing up if I thought that I had already won something and was just here for a good time,” added the Northern Irishman.
“It would make it an even better time if I won. I want to pick two trophies up on the 18th green on Sunday instead of one. And I feel like I’m playing well. I’ve hit the ball in practise, so we’ll see what happens over the course of the four days.”
McIlroy, who had previously announced he will host the Irish Open next year, provided a further boost to the tournament by confirming Rickie Fowler has agreed to participate at Royal County Down. McIlroy and Fowler featured as amateurs in the Walker Cup at the same venue back in 2007.
“I’ve tried to use any sort of influence that I have to try to get some guys to come over and play,” McIlroy added.
“That’s hopefully just the start of a few names coming an board and playing. Rickie has become a very good friend of mine over the past few years. I’m delighted that he can come across the Atlantic and support the event.”
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