McIlroy seeks stability ahead of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

ABU DHABI // On the face of it, Rory McIlroy’s 2014 began much like his 2013. There were fireworks, confirmation of a game-changing decision and the customary conjecture about how it would affect his golf.

Yet, with two significant modifications – one professional and the other personal – he said he had anticipated that there would be contrasting consequences, too.

“This year is a polar opposite,” a relaxed-looking McIlroy said Tuesday as he prepared to begin his season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which starts Thursday.

“Everything seems to have fallen into place nicely, and I can just go out there and focus on my golf and try to play as well as I can.”

It was a little different 12 months ago. For all the hullabaloo of his expected switch to Nike – golf’s worst-kept secret was affirmed at a glitzy lights show in Abu Dhabi – McIlroy’s equipment change precipitated a damp squib of a year.

Winless until December, knocked off his perch at the top of the world rankings and with nagging management issues casting a long shadow on his season, 2013 halted a career ascent that had been steep and staggering.

But if the campaign brought golf’s bright, young thing to his knees, it was the resumption of that position that suggests the old swagger is back.

A few weeks ago McIlroy was bringing in the New Year alongside tennis-star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, watching the Opera House fireworks on a boat in Sydney Harbour and ready to take the metaphorical plunge. Question popped, he promptly took to Twitter to announce: “My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!”

As he recounted the story publicly for the first time yesterday, McIlroy was playing it as coy as a loved-up newlywed.

“It’s a funny story, too long to go in to,” he said, before rejecting the gathered media’s pleas to divulge details. “No, I’ll keep that between us.”

While the particulars of the proposal remained under wraps, McIlroy had no problem communicating what he hoped would be its long-lasting effect.

“It will only help to have that stability and know that everything in that regard in my life is set,” he said. “It’s a big step in anyone’s life to make that decision, but I feel she’s definitely the right girl for me. It was a great way to end 2013 and a great way to start 2014.”

Having gifted Wozniacki a considerable sparkler, McIlroy’s game also seems set to shine. In truth, there were shafts of illumination towards the latter part of last season, as he travelled golf’s global map searching for enlightenment.

Promising performances in South Korea, China, Dubai and then victory in Australia restored confidence that, he admitted, had been dented, and the initial few weeks post-engagement have been diamond, too.

McIlroy said he had been working hard at the Butch Harmon School in Dubai and his renewed belief in his undoubted ability, minus the distractions of last year, suggest a welcome return to form. But do not just take his word for it.

“I think he’s going to have a great year,” Phil Mickelson, the world No 5, said yesterday. “I really do. He’s too talented to have another year like last year.”

McIlroy’s demeanour reflected such optimism. The winner of a US Open and a USPGA Championship has even targeted doubling his haul of majors.

“I’m feeling good about my game; good about where I am mentally,” he said. “It’s hopefully shaping up to be a good year.”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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