Palm Beach Gardens, FL …
Rory McIlroy will get a strong idea of his game at sea level later today (MON) before travelling more than two kilometres high to Mexico City and Thursday’s official return to competition.
McIlroy and his father, Gerry are grouped together for the annual Seminole GC ‘Pro-v-Members’ day at the ultra-exclusive club laid out right on the Atlantic Ocean and not far from McIlroy’s Palm Beach Gardens abode.
The current World No. 3 will join the likes of World No. Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Martin Kaymer, Ernie Els and a host of others, including former Irish Open winner Soren Kjeldsen, teeing-up on the Donald Ross designed gem where mobiles are forbidden to be taken onto the course.
The very exclusive Seminole GC and hosting the annual ‘Pros-v-Members’ day on Monday 27th Feb, 2017
All players will then board a late afternoon (Monday US time) charter flight out of nearby West Palm Beach Airport bound direct for the world’s eighth highest capital city and Thursday’s starting WGC – Mexico Championship.
McIlroy’s return will be his first event since January 14th when he lost out in a play-off for the South African Open and then two days later being diagnosed with a stressed fracture in a rib, and an absence of 42 days that saw him lose his World No. 2 ranking and now ranked No. 3.
Disappointed not to be heading ‘south of the border’ is fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell who posted a final round 69 for a four-under par tally in the Honda Classic at PGA National.
“This event is one that is always on my radar each year because I feel as though I can get it around PGA National and I am comfortable here, even though it can be a pretty uncomfortable course if you get yourself behind the eight ball,” he said.
Graeme McDowell takes a lot of positives out of this week’s top-20 showing at the Honda Classic. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“I’ve taken a lot of positive steps this week as it’s the best I have driven the ball all season but I just wasn’t sharp enough on the greens.
“But all in all, it’s been a solid week and something I can take into my week and build on and move forward.
“Of course, I am disappointed not to have qualified for Mexico and missing out on visiting the city and playing the golf course but when you’re not into a WGC, it means you’re not top-50 in the world it means you’re a second-tier player.
“So, that continues to be the goal and that’s to get myself back inside the top-50 in the world.”
But then McDowell will not be in his Orlando home staying idle as he hinted of travelling to Tampa for a practice round Friday ahead of next fortnight’s Valspar Championship.
“I may also pop over to Bay Hill that’s not far from home and squeeze in a practice round ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.”
