Rory McIlroy admits he cannot wait to get his 2014 European Tour campaign under way at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, as he attempts to build on a strong finish to last year.
The Northern Irishman, who welcomed in the New Year by proposing to his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, ended The 2013 Race to Dubai with back-to-back top six finishes, before winning the Australian Open to end a frustrating season on a high note.
Add into the fray the fact that McIlroy has finished outside the top 11 only once in six appearances at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, finishing runner up twice in 2011 and 2012, and it is easy to see why the 24 year old is starting the new season in high spirits.
“I feel like I’m much better prepared heading into the first event of the season than I was last year,” he said. “My swing is in a much better place. I’ve done some really good work on that, at the end of last year, and in the couple of weeks that I’ve had here leading into this tournament.
“So things are really looking good. I’m in a really good frame of mind and I feel like I’ve built a lot of momentum at the back end of last year and I’m going to try to continue that into this season.”
The former World Number One believes Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to launch the new term, having started each of the past six seasons in the same way.
“It’s a golf course that’s always sort of suited my eye,” he said. “I’ve always done well here. I had a couple of chances to win, and Martin Kaymer was just too good those times. It’s a long golf course and you’ve got to hit it well off the tee and take advantage of the par fives, which I feel like I can do.
“It’s a perfect way to start the year. It’s always a very strong field and a good, competitive first event. I don’t think there’s any better place to start the season, especially for me, because you get two weeks to practice either here or Dubai to lead up to this tournament and feel really well prepared.”
Also returning to action for the first time in 2014 is reigning Open Champion Phil Mickelson, who joined McIlroy in taking part in a traditional Emirati Al Razfa dance.
They are also paired together for the opening two rounds, along with defending champion Jamie Donaldson, and after a magnificent 2013, which included victory in The Open Championship, Mickelson is looking forward to the week and the year ahead.
“I’m excited to be back here to Abu Dhabi,” said the American. “It’s a great city, and country, and we are all excited with what HSBC has done to bring world‑class golf to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
“From a player standpoint and to start the year, it’s important we start with the fundamentals and a good foundation for our golf game. We have got great practice facilities here, as well as a golf course that can identify your strengths and your weaknesses. It’s a world‑class course and in immaculate shape and you can easily identify where you’re playing well and where you’re not, and I’m excited.”
Mickelson also revealed that he has a new driver in the bag and is excited about unleashing it around Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
“As I look back on 2013, I played some of my best golf and had some huge breakthroughs. But I did most of it without a driver.
“This year, we have the best driver I’ve ever hit that lowers my spin rate just like my three‑wood. I drive it longer and straighter with my driver than I did with my three‑wood. It’s a whole different weapon in my arsenal now. And if I drive the ball well, like I have been in practise and I have been this off‑season, heading into this 2014 season, it could be the best year of my career for that simple reason.”