Rory McIlroy to have scan on injured back ahead of Abu Dhabi event
Monday 16 January 2017 19:25, UK
Rory McIlroy remains hopeful of playing in next week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, but he insists he will take no risks with the back problem he suffered in South Africa.
McIlroy will have an MRI scan in Dubai on Monday before deciding if he will tee up in the star-studded first event of the European Tour's Desert Swing, which features three 2016 major winners in Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson as well as defending champion Rickie Fowler.
The world No 2 underwent intense physio treatment and took regular doses of painkillers over the weekend at the BMW SA Open after struggling through much of Friday's second round with a back strain.
He attributed the problem to his lengthy equipment testing session in Dubai last month and played through the pain, although he was denied victory by the resolute Graeme Storm on the third play-off hole at Glendower Golf Club following a thrilling final-day battle.
"I am going for a scan on Monday," said McIlroy, who finished tied for the lead with Storm on 18 under before he bogeyed the third extra hole to hand a shock victory to the Englishman. "I fly to Dubai and then will go for an MRI just to see what's up with this joint in my back.
"It was manageable this week with tape and a few anti-inflammatories so I am fine, but first and foremost I have to get fully fit and healthy again and hopefully I'll be alright to play next week, but it's not 100 per cent.
"Part of me really wants to make this week because there is so much to play for, but at the same time there is so much to play for over the whole season and I don't want to jeopardise long-term goals for short-term gain. Hopefully I'll be good to go."
McIlroy was happy with his performance in his first appearance of 2017 in South Africa, and his first event with an entirely new set of clubs, but a late bogey at 17 when he held a one-shot lead proved costly.
The four-time major champion needed two attempts at escaping a greenside bunker, and he went on to bogey the third extra hole when he pulled his approach from the rough and lipped out from 10 feet after Storm had tapped in for par.
"I wish I could have done a little more but it's not a bad way to start the season and gives me something to build on in the weeks ahead," he added.
"Obviously it's disappointing to finish like that, but Graeme has played well all week and what a story it for him. He thought he had lost his card at the end of last year and there he is now standing with a trophy in his hands after the first event of 2017. I'm delighted for him.
"I played well and wish I could have got a win but it's a good start to the year. We have had an absolutely fantastic time here in South Africa over the last 10 days and we are already planning to come back near the end of the year."
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