Golf

Rory McIlroy returns to Sydney with fond memories of title win

World No 1 kick-started his resurgence by denying Adam Scott Australian triple crown

Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green after the final round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green after the final round of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Mon Nov 24 2014 - 16:45

Rory McIlroy will look to successfully defend the title which kick-started his resurgence at this week’s Australian Open in Sydney.

Given the world number one’s brilliant performances this year, which brought major victories in the British Open and US PGA Championship and two other wins, it is hard to believe just how bad 2013 was in comparison.

McIlroy struggled to adapt to his new equipment, fell out with his management company and walked off the course during his defence of the Honda Classic, not to mention labelling his own play “brain dead” when missing the cut in the British Open at Muirfield.

The 25-year-old had to wait until December to win his first tournament of 2013 at Royal Sydney, denying home favourite Adam Scott the triple crown after the Masters champion had won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters.

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Twelve months on McIlroy returns to Sydney, albeit a different golf course, already thinking about completing a career grand slam in the Masters next April and brimming with confidence.

"This year has been full of ups and downs, mainly ups, which is a great thing," said McIlroy, who won the BMW PGA Championship in May just days after calling off his wedding to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

“I learned a lot from it and I feel like I came through this year stronger and wiser, and I can go into 2015 in a much better place. I’m happy with the success that I’ve had and I feel like there’s been a lot that I’ve learned this year, as well, and that’s a great thing going into the future.

“This week’s a big week. I want to go down there and play well and do a good job with defending my title. After that I’ve got a pretty busy week. I’m not playing golf but I’ve got a few other commitments and things to do.

“But I’ll have a little bit of downtime over Christmas and New Year, which will be nice. I’ll start practising again early on in the new year and getting ready for Abu Dhabi.”

McIlroy has now spent a total of 56 weeks as world number one during his career and feels he has finally come to grips with the responsibility which accompanies such a lofty position.

“I used to be uncomfortable,” added McIlroy, who is in his fifth spell at the top of the rankings. “You get to the point where there’s added scrutiny and there’s added criticism or whatever it is.

“But I learned to deal with it. It’s just part of the title now, world number one. That’s what it comes with. I’ve become comfortable with it.

“I’ve spent more than a year of my career at world number one, so if I’m not used to it by now, then there’s something wrong. I obviously enjoy it. It’s where I want to be. I want to be the best player in the world and I want to keep it for as long as I possibly can.”