McIlroy: “I’m 35 Not 23 & I’ve Got The Grey Hairs To Prove It”.

10 months ago by Comments Off on McIlroy: “I’m 35 Not 23 & I’ve Got The Grey Hairs To Prove It”.

Rory McIlroy has spoken ahead of this week of his desire to cut down his yearly playing schedule.

The World No. 3 at the close of this week’s DP World Tour Championship will have contested 26 tournaments this year and that will be five more than last year while the last time he played anywhere near 26 events was 27 back in 2010.

McIlroy’s highest number events a year remains 29 events in 2008 and in a first full year as a professional, and also a year he turned 19-years of age.

He tees-up this week looking to capture a sixth Harry Vardon trophy now aged 35 and he was reminded of this ahead of the $10m Dubai event, and also after he revealed how much he would enjoy competing in events such as the Open de France and/or the Open de Espana noting too that he’s not teed-up in Spain since 2011.

As well, he spoke of his enjoyment starting and ending each new season in Dubai,.

“Yeah, I think I’m not going to miss these tournaments in the Middle East. I’m not going to miss Wentworth. I’m not going to miss the Irish Open. I’m not going to miss The Scottish Open”, he said,

“But there was a few events this year in America that I played that I don’t typically play, and I think that’s where I’m going to have to trim a little bit.

“Also, I have to remember, I’m 35 now. I’m not 23 (smiling)”.

And when reminded he’s not yet turned 40 he said: “I’m knocking on it a little bit. I’ve got the grey hairs to prove it.

“At 35, and I’ve been on tour for 17 or 18 years, look, I’m not slowing down at all, but I just have to take care of myself and take care of my body a little bit more, and 27 events this year is maybe a touch too many. If I can trim it back down to 22 or 23, I think that would be good for me in the long run.”

However as McIlroy heads into his final event of 2024, he looked back on a year that was 10-years since he won at the game’s highest level, still dreaming on the one major he needs to capture to join the greats of the game.

“I’ve been really proud of that over the last few years, but then at the same time, thinking about the ones that got a way”, he said.

“I could be sitting up here with a fifth Major title and I am not. So that stings and that’s something that I have to come to terms with, but at the same time, I’ve got plenty more opportunities in the future.

“But I really just tried to focus on the positives this year of consistently performing at the highest level. Still having three wins with an opportunity to get a fourth here this week, to win another Race to Dubai title.

“Did I achieve every goal I set for myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season.

“You’ve got two guys at the top of the World Rankings down there winning three Majors. Scottie winning a Masters and a Players and the Olympics”.

 



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