Rory McIlroy 'excited' over home practice platform heading into Race to Dubai final run
Rory McIlroy will return from India hoping for home help in his bid to add another entry into the game’s record books.
A two-over finish on Sunday to the DP World India Championship left McIlroy tied 42nd and, significantly, third in the Race to Dubai standings behind weekend winner Eugenio Chacarra with Patrick Reed now sitting second.
McIlroy is attempting to secure career win number eight in the The Harry Vardon Trophy to move level with Colin Montgomerie as the European Tour’s end-of-season ace.
The back-to-back Masters champion now trails Chacarra by 948 points with McIlroy scheduled for season-ending appearances in the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship (Abu Dhabi’s Yas Links Golf Club, November 5-8) and DP World Tour Championship (Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates, November 12-15).
With McIlroy’s eyes on the prize, he highlighted plans for practice before the United Arab Emirates tournament schedule.
"Yeah, I'm excited to get home and do some practice,” said McIlroy following Sunday’s final round in India. “I didn't really touch a club after Wentworth (BMW PGA Championship, September 9) until I turned up this week.
"Didn't feel I was at my sharpest, so looking forward to getting home and practicing and feeling like I turn up at those last two events ready to play and ready to go.
“Eugenio is playing well...that makes my job a bit harder going into the last two events.”
Speaking ahead of play in India last week, McIlroy discussed the Race to Dubai opportunity and revealed his approach around “I have to concentrate on myself”.
He added: “My track record in the Middle East is really good, so if I can just eat in – I don't need to be leading going into the last two weeks – but if I can just eat into that lead a little bit I feel like I'll have a good chance going in those final two events.”
Chacarra has the chance to increase Spain’s representation on the Race to Dubai roll of honour alongside Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm.
“I know it’s not going to be easy,” said Chacarra in India. “Rory in Dubai always plays well and I know it’s going to be a big battle...Patrick too.
“Two of the best players in the world coming for me now, and I know they’re not going to make it easy.”