McIlroy pleased with game after long layoff
After a lengthy layoff from golf, Rory McIlroy was happy with what he produced this week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McIlroy shot three rounds in the 60's, finishing at 18-under par for the week, which gave him a share of third place with Matt Fitzpatrick in his first start since early October.
"Overall, I'm really happy how I played this week," the Northern Irishman told skysports.com. "My game is in really good shape and I saw some really, really positive signs. So I'm looking forward to next week in Dubai and obviously looking forward to the rest of the season. If I can play the same way I played this week, I'll have a good chance again next week."
The four-time major champ will remain in the United Arab Emirates for next week's Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament he's claimed twice in his career, but has not won a worldwide event since the 2016 Tour Championship.
"It's just a matter of dusting myself off and sort of looking back on this week," added McIlroy. "I think it's been a huge success for me, even though I didn't win today. I felt like I got a lot out of it, and yeah, I'm excited to get back at it again next week."
The run-up to the Masters in April will be a busy stretch for McIlroy, with seven tournaments on his schedule before the trip down Magnolia Lane.