TOUR NEWS:RORY MCILROY has moved to dampen expectations that he can make a successful debut in The Players Championship starting at TPC Sawgrass today.
After a much-needed two-week lay-off that saw him take in Las Vegas for Ricky Hatton’s ill-fated date with Manny Pacquiao last Saturday, McIlroy resumes competition at the USPGA Tour’s flagship event.
McIlroy, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday, is making his third trip to the United States this year having broken into the top 20 in the world rankings with his maiden professional victory at the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic on February 1st.
With three big tournaments looming in Europe, starting next week at the 3 Irish Open at Baltray, McIlroy has warned people not to expect too much in Florida this week.
“I’ve got three big ones coming up in Europe after this,” McIlroy said. “I’ve got a four-week stretch so I’m trying to pace myself for the big ones in Europe but it would be great to do well here as well.
“My two weeks off, I was completely drained after Hilton Head, took the first week off and then started to practise last week.
“I still feel like I’m hitting it pretty good. But it’s still the first week back – if I can finish up there, give myself a chance, top 15 or top 10, I’d be pretty happy.
“If I can play the way I know I can, I know I will be up there.”
McIlroy’s pro debut in America earned him rave reviews and lots of media coverage in the US when he reached the quarter-finals of the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship in Tucson at the end of February.
Then he further enhanced his reputation there as one of the game’s brightest prospects with four consecutive top-20 finishes in stroke-play tournaments.
The last was a tie for 20th on his Masters debut but he then ran out of steam the week after his Augusta National adventure, finishing two over par at the Verizon Heritage on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in a tie for 58th.
McIlroy said his American experience had been a steep learning curve but he was now feeling more comfortable on the USPGA Tour.
“I think it is not actually the golf, it’s everything that comes with being a tour pro, like press conferences, you don’t do that as an amateur. But it’s just about getting used to being on tour – playing with guys you have watched on TV all your life.
“It’s a little daunting at the beginning but once you get to know them you realise they are just normal guys.
“Once I started playing well I began to feel more comfortable and I am comfortable being out here now.”
Now the 20-year-old gets to tick off another goal in his fledgling career before turning his attentions to an important date back home.
“At the back of last year my goal was to get into the Masters, the World Golf Championships and get into the top 50 and this is another event that was high on that priority list to be able to play in it – it is probably the best field of the year.
“I’ve been off for a couple of weeks and so I am just trying to get back into it, and after this I have the big one next week with the Irish Open.”
McIlroy makes his debut today with Jason Bohn and Jeff Overton at 2.10pm Irish time (9.10am local), while Pádraig Harrington starts his first round at 6.10pm Irish time (1.10pm Florida) alongside Geoff Ogilvy and Steve Stricker.
Graeme McDowell is out at 12.30pm Irish time (7.30am local) alongside John Rollins and Bob Estes.
Players championship
Course:TPC at Sawgrass, Florida.
Length:7,220 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney:€7 million, €1.2 million for the winner
Field:148.
Defending champion:Sergio Garcia won on the first play-off hole.
Course record:18 holes – 63 Fred Couples (1992), Greg Norman (1994).
On TV:Live on Setanta (6pm today).
Irish in Field:Pádraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.
Weather:Cloudy and hot with temperatures in the mid-80s.
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