Rory McIlroy should be staring at a multiple winning season if his share of third place in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is any guideline.
McIlroy’s now had four seconds and now a third place result in the past six years competing in the UASE capital. However, he’s then progressed into each season to capture four Majors and 13 other Tour titles.
McIlroy eagled the last for a second occasion in three days in a round of 68 to be tied on 11-under par with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
Some joy for Rory McIlroy during the final round of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey | Golffile)
But for a third occasion in eight months McIlroy has played second fiddle to new World No. 4 Rickie Fowler who captured his second European Tour counting event in six appearances, and fighting back from a near crippling seventh hole double bogey to then eagle the eighth on route to a 69 and a one stroke 16-under par winning tally.
Fowler’s win further reinforces the new generation of younger players gripping the ancient game with the average of the top four, including World No. 1 Jordan Spieth and World No. 2 Jason Day, just 25.75 years.
“Golf’s in a really good position right now,” he said.
“Seeing what Jason (Day) did last year, what Jordan did all year, still doing it, and Rory, he had a ‘not-so-good’ year and still won four times.
“But then I’ve also got my sight on No. 1 in the world, that would be the ultimate goal, but I’m up against some pretty tough opposition.”
McIlroy returns to nearby Dubai to continue practice at the Els Club before teeing-up in next Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links and ahead of returning back down Sheik Zahed Road for the February 4th start to his defence of the Dubai Desert Classic.
“I played a very, very average 18 holes and in a tournament like this you can’t do that,” he said.
“Thankfully I gave myself a few more opportunities on the back nine and was able to convert some of them, and it was nice to again finish with an eagle.
“It’s another top-three finish here but this is not what I wanted. I can take a lot of confidence from this result, and I’ve done that each year I’ve played here, and especially going to the Desert Classic where I’ve won a couple of times.
“But yeah, not quite what I wanted. It seems like this could the tournament that I just can’t master but it’s been good.
“It’s definitely a great way to start the season but as I said I seem to start every New Year the same here and then gone onto have a pretty decent season.”
Fowler delighted the large media continent gathered in the tournament media centre shouting champagne for the scribes.
“Well I have to celebrate with someone, seeing I can’t pour anything into the trophy,” he joked.
Fowler’s success in a second appearance in the UAE capital is the sixth of his pro career and a fourth since claiming last May’s Players Championship.
Next goal for the passionate orange-clad Oklahoma State supporter is a Masters green jacket.
“It’s a great way for me to start a New Year and it’s nice to have the game where it’s at right now going into the season, instead of trying to work on things and trying to find stuff,” he said.“
Right now, I can go and fine tune and really start to build up for Augusta. I’d say this is really the first time I’ve had it, in my career and at this early time of year, so I feel good about my game knowing how quickly where it’s at.
Rory McIlroy (NIR) tees off the 14th tee during Sunday’s Final Round of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship held at the Abu Dhabi National Course, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 24th January 2016.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
“So I’m excited. I know all the players out here are always trying to get better, and that’s now my goal moving forward, to be ready for Augusta.”
And Fowler could not help but point out he’s won one of the bigger European Tour events and in what is a Ryder Cup and nine months before competition commences on September 30th at Hazeltine.
“To win a big European Tour event in front of such a strong European Tour field, and in a Ryder Cup year, those are bonuses,” he said.
“I felt like I had a lot of support out there. Clearly, Rory is a very big favourite around here, and the other Euros, as well.
“I know Jordan and I both enjoy being over here; Jordan, being his first visit, he really enjoyed his week from what I have heard from him.
“So yeah, this is a great win, like I said, it’s a bonus that it’s a Ryder Cup year and that we came over here and got a win on the European Tour.”
Spieth is joining European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke in competing in this week’s Asian Tour Singapore Open.
It will be a sixth nation, and on a third continent, the Dallas-born golfer has competed in the past two months and it is little wonder Spieth’s feeling the strain.“
It won’t be something I will do in the future to bounce back and forth from Asia, which is what we did before Australia,” he said.
“I don’t …. I’m very tired. I am.
“As a team, we are kind of beat up physically and mentally and we’re not 100%. Right now it shows in certain places as you know and this week, the first day I was here I was striping the ball but since then I was a little weak with everything.
“My decision-making also was a little off so yeah we’ve had a lot of fun times and we will continue to do so next week but I will get back to the PGA Tour schudule and re-evaluate how next season will shape up in New Year.
“But then after Singapore I have a week off and then go to Pebble Beach then a week off and a couple more, then another week off and a couple more, then a week off and four more.”
