McIlroy Returns To Competition “Under The Weather” & It’s “An Achievement” To Be In New Oreleans

6 months ago by Comments Off on McIlroy Returns To Competition “Under The Weather” & It’s “An Achievement” To Be In New Oreleans

Masters champion Rory McIlroy has returned to competition for this week’s defence of the Zurich Classic very much ‘under the weather’ and admitting it’s ‘achievement’ to be this week in New Orleans.

McIlroy has returned from a few days days in Northern Ireland visiting his parents and also visiting London where is it is understood he and his wife, Erica and with Poppy were inspecting a new Surrey-based residence.

And in speaking with the media ahead of this week’s event in New Orleans he sounded very croaky when speaking of the delight in finally capturing the one tournament that he so desperately wanted to win.

“Yeah, just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life was absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said.

“As you can hear, I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so feeling a little bit under the weather. But obviously it’s been an amazing few days, but I’m excited and I’m happy to be here with my man, and we’re looking forward to a great week and trying to defend.

“People that you would never even think that would watch golf or would know what’s going on, that was very, very humbling.

“I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey. I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they’ve been trying to do for a decade plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.”

McIlroy is back to the Zurich Classic where in a first appearance a year he and Shane Lowry captured the event with a birdie at the first extra hole.

However, while it is a croaky-sounding McIlroy it is also a ‘rusty’ Masters champion having not picked-up a golf club since his stunning April 10th triumph.

“Today is a pretty important day for me. I need to start hitting some balls again and getting back into it,” said McIlroy.

“Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed; I was feeling that bad.

“I think just to be here and feeling better is an achievement. But I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure that I don’t let [Shane] down this week.”



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