Rory McIlroy goes into his Race To Dubai showdown with Luke Donald waiting for the results of blood tests.
Rory awaiting blood test results ahead of Dubai showdown
Rory McIlroy's hopes of snatching the Race To Dubai money title from Luke Donald have been put in doubt by a virus.
To be crowned European number one, the 22-year-old needs to win this week's Dubai World Championship, which starts on Thursday, and hope Donald finishes outside the top nine.
But the US Open champion goes into his European Tour showdown with Donald waiting for the results of blood tests.
McIlroy has had the problem for some time and went to see a doctor on arrival in the United Arab Emirates.
"I won't get the results back until later on this week," said the Northern Irishman, who kept his chance of top spot alive by winning the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.
"I picked up a virus and my white blood cell count was very low, so the tests were to see if it's back up again."
McIlroy has been virtually non-stop since late September and that has included three trips to the Far East and one to Bermuda.
"I'm not energy-wise where I want to be, but I took a day off yesterday and took it easy," he said on Tuesday.
"I'm going to play the pro-am today and practise and I'll probably take another day off tomorrow - maybe hit a few balls.
Conserve my energy
"I'll really try and conserve my energy and focus it all into the four tournament days.
"I'm not 100%, but I'm still able to go out and play 18 holes and try and give it my all.
"I've still got a slim chance of trying to win the 'Race to Dubai'. It's going to be a tough ask, but I'll give my best and it would be great to finish the year on a high."
Not that he is quite finished yet.
McIlroy is also entered for next week's Thailand Championship, although his manager Conor Ridge says his participation there depends on his health.
Asked if he might have pulled out this week if it had not been such a big event - not just for the money list, but also the world rankings and Ryder Cup qualifying points - he said: "I'm not sure.
"I don't like pulling out of tournaments. I think you saw that at the PGA this year." That was where he damaged his arm hitting against a tree root on the third hole, yet he managed all four rounds.
