Rory McIlroy To Resume ‘Love/Hate’ Honda Classic Relationship.

10 years ago by Comments Off on Rory McIlroy To Resume ‘Love/Hate’ Honda Classic Relationship.

Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy has confirmed he’ll make an eighth consecutive appearance at the Honda Classic next month at PGA National.

McIlroy has clear mixed feelings competing on the Florida venue first having moved to World No. 1 in 2012 with a two shot victory over American Tom Gillis.

Rory McIlroy (NIR) during round 2 at the Honda Classic from PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Picture: Fran Caffrey / Golffile

Rory McIlroy (NIR) during round 2 at the Honda Classic from PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Picture: Fran Caffrey / Golffile

However the Northern Irishman bluntly admitted a year ago he was ‘pissed off’ in missing the cut in the 2015 event won by countryman Padraig Harrington.  It was the first occasion in 13 events since the 2014 Irish Open at Fota Island McIlroy had sat out the weekend rounds of a tournament.

After taking nine weeks off over the winter to undergo laser eye surgery and also make improvements to his putting, McIlroy will return from February 25-28 and says he is excited about a busier start to the year than normal.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to PGA National for this year’s Honda Classic,” McIlroy said. “This is an important first stop for me in the Florida swing of events and it’s a course that sets up well for my game.

“In such a strong field, there will be a lot of guys hungry to secure a win in the early part of the season, so I’ve every motivation to get off to a fast start. I have enjoyed success here before and I’d like to see a repeat of that this year.”

McIlroy commences his 2016 season next week in joining current World No. 1 Jordan Spieth in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the UAE capital, before returning to Dubai a fortnight later to defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic crown.

The 26-year-old then heads to California for a debut at the Northern Trust Open (Feb 18-21), before making an eighth consecutive appearance at PGA National the following week.

The Northern Irishman saw the gap between him and top spot increase after Spieth’s dominant victory at Sunday’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions, but is now keen to put an injury-affected 2015 behind him.

“It’s a goal to try to reclaim that position (World No. 1) as fast as I can,” he said.  “I feel like now until 40 is my time to collect some hardware and make my stamp on the game.

“If I can get off to a good start, I can get back to No 1 going into the Masters.”



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