Michael Hoey’s confident he’s shaken a latest sickness bout ahead of his two biggest events this year – the Irish Open and British Open.

Hoey’s latest health concern was picking up a mystery bug after being at Wembley for the Heineken Cup final.

Michael Hoey confident he's shaken a latest illness concern. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

The flu like symptoms saw him then miss the cut in both the BMW PGA Championship and Wales Open and he’s returning to competition at today’s (THU) commencing BMW International Open in Cologne.

The Belfast golfer then finished well down in Sweden and returns to competition for today’s (THU) commencing BMW International Open in Cologne.

“I went to the European Rugby Cup final at Wembley and had a few drinks too much, and ate junk food as you do in a rugby final,” he said.

“I knew that would probably happen but I was also determined to go even though it was the week before Wentworth.

“But when I do have a couple of drinks it seems to really affect me.

“Then there was a five hour Pro Am at the BMW PGA and I didn’t wear enough clothes as it went from really hot to really cold, and it’s just taken so long trying to shake off a really nasty cold.

“I’ve been pretty good health wise this year but picked up this heavy cold.

“It was disappointing as Wentworth is the biggest tournament of the year and I felt lousy.

“I started off playing well at Wentworth but just collapsed over the weekend and then it was the same a week later in Wales.”

Hoey is among six Irish teeing up in this week’s Euro 2m BMW International Open being played on the Gut Larcenhof course for a first time, and the former long-time venue for the German Masters.

Joining Hoey is Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Shane Lowry, Simon Thornton while Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin is the very last to tee off.