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24.11.2014 Sports News

Rory McIlroy takes positives out of 'bad week' in Dubai

By Allsports.com.gh
Rory McIlroy takes positives out of 'bad week' in Dubai
24.11.2014 LISTEN

The Northern Irishman finished tied for second in Dubai, behind now two-time winner Henrik Stenson - with McIlroy almost edging his way into a play-off with the Swede, who ended up winning by two strokes.

McIlroy finished on 14 under overall, after going 66-70-70-68 in the United Arab Emirates.

The Race to Dubai winner - McIlroy was crowned the money-list victor prior to the European Tour's season-ending tournament - said that he could contend despite not playing at his best boded well as he prepares to embark on a new season.

"It's a really big positive, not just going into next year but just going into the rest of my career because in seasons gone by, a bad week for me would have been middle of the pack or if there was a cut I'd maybe be battling to make the cut," McIlroy said.

"I set myself up with a good score on Thursday and I played well but Friday, Saturday and today [Sunday] weren't quite as good.

"So the level of consistency is there.
"I didn't feel like I played great at all today and still went around bogey-free and shot 68.

"It's not too bad, so there a lot of positives heading into 2015.

"There's something that I'm really pleased about this year and it is that level of consistency I've shown in my golf.

"I haven't finished outside the top 25 and my last few results have been very, very consistent and very good."

Stenson reigned for consecutive years at the 7,017-metre course, which favours the big hitters - and McIlroy conceded his renowned driving game let him down.

"In terms of ball-striking I've driven it better, which is a big part of my game," he said.

"When I drive it well then I can take advantage of most golf courses that we play and give myself shorter irons on the greens and more opportunities for birdies.

"But I think my mid-range putting - putting when you don't quite hit a very good iron shot and you're 25 feet [away] - I've been very good at that range this year which I think has helped.

"My bad shots are just as bad as they were, but instead of it going 10 yards off the fairway it might be in the semi-rough or whatever.

"So the margin for error has been tightened a little bit."

McIlroy heads to Sydney for the Australian Open, starting Thursday - as he looks to defend his 2013 crown up against local hope Adam Scott.

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