One couldn’t blame Rory McIlroy if he were to suggest that professional golf adopt something that is the rage with the sport of American football — the concussion protocol. 

Rory McIlroy will have to start putting much better over the next three days if he is to add to his haul of major championship victories here at Chambers Bay after a disappointing opening round at the 115th US Open Championship.

Rory McIlroy refused to blame his responsibilities as tournament host at Royal County Down as he crashed out of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

American sensation Jordan Spieth joined Rory McIlroy this year in winning back-to-back tournaments on two different continents by storming to a stunning 10-shot victory after a final round 66 for a 26-under par victory tally in the Hero World Challenge in Windermere, Orlando.

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the China Open with a knee injury.

Rory McIlroy will take a one-shot lead into Saturday’s third round at the PGA Championship promising to keep his foot on the accelerator as he seeks to close out back-to-back major victories.

Lee Westwood matched his best round in a Major and gave Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley a boost as he took an early share of the first-round PGA Championship lead with American Kevin Chappell at Valhalla last night.

He may still be only 25 years of age but if this last month has told us anything about Rory McIlroy, it is that the kid from Holywood knows how to get the job done.

Triple Major champion Rory McIlroy has revealed that as a youngster he almost quit the game, but put it down to being a ‘grumpy teenager.’

British Open champion Rory McIlroy was yesterday unable to show off his prized Claret Jug to the North’s political leaders, admitting it needed a clean after a night of celebrations.

He does not just win at a canter, you know.

Rory McIlroy held off a spirited challenge from Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia to claim his third major title on a thrilling final day of the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool today.

Two eagles in his last three holes leaves Rory McIlroy on the brink of a third career major after the Irishman took a firm grip on the 143rd Open Championship heading into Sunday's final round at Hoylake.

The predicted thunderstorms failed to materialise, but Rory McIlroy provided the fireworks to take a stranglehold on the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Rory McIlroy will have to find another day to fret over after his Friday at the Open proved far from freaky at Royal Liverpool.

Rory McIlroy exorcised his Friday demons in style as Tiger Woods almost paid the ultimate price for abandoning the tactics which previously brought him victory at Royal Liverpool in the second round of the 143rd Open Championship.

Open Championship leader Rory McIlroy will take to the Royal Liverpool links later looking to avoid the dreaded second-round syndrome which has dogged him all year.

The Open Championship enjoyed a case of deja vu today with glorious weather at Royal Liverpool and a certain Tiger Woods high on the leaderboard in the opening round.

Rory McIlroy will start today’s second round at the US Open confident he can cope with any adversity Pinehurst No 2 throws at him, deal with it and stay on an even keel.

They call it the toughest test in golf, the US Open, and the class of 2014 are going to find in Pinehurst No 2 one of the most exacting examinations of their credentials as the second Major of the year gets under way in North Carolina today.

Rory McIlroy has set himself the challenge of winning two of the remaining three majors this year and will today start his bid for a second US Open title determined to avoid a nightmare Friday the 13th.

Shane Lowry collected the biggest prize in his career thanks to a monster putt at the final hole but though the grin was huge and the ovation even bigger, there was one vital missing ingredient – a victory.

Rory McIlroy believes almost three-quarters of the 97-strong field can win the US Masters, while Justin Rose neatly summed up an unpredictable season so far.

Roy McIlroy is desperate to join the Masters legends for breakfast in the Champions’ Locker Room.

Rory McIlroy’s mini meltdown at the Honda Classic may leave him with scar tissue and raise questions over his psyche under pressure — just not for winner Russell Henley.

Graeme McDowell is intent on finishing this season as Europe’s number one golfer.

Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is smart enough not to comment on the private life of his expected Gleneagles side but there was no hiding his pleasure in learning Rory McIlroy has sorted out his management affairs.

Novak Djokovic is learning to expect the unexpected at Wimbledon but is making sure he keeps his own game under control.

Adam Scott may not stretch to putting Vegemite sandwiches on the Champions’ Dinner menu at next year’s Masters but do not be surprised if there is more than a little taste of Australia brought to the table at Augusta National in 2014.

Rory McIlory overcame a nightmare start to his second round to put himself back on track for a big push for Masters glory this weekend as Tiger Woods was making his charge up the leaderboard at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy is set to return to Haiti next week.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – multi-millionaire Nike stablemates now and golf’s two biggest attractions – go head to head in Abu Dhabi tomorrow in their first competitive round of the year.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – multi-millionaire Nike stablemates now and golf’s two biggest attractions – will go head to head in Abu Dhabi on Thursday in what for both of them is their first competitive round of the year.

“I’m Rory McIlroy, I’m Rory McIlroy, I’m Rory McIlroy... I am Rory McIlroy.”

World number one Rory McIlroy was yesterday named the European Tour golfer of the year.

World number one Rory McIlroy was today named the European Tour golfer of the year.

Athletes never forget the force behind them, says Conall Ó Fátharta

One Irishman was looking for miracles, the other simply for answers but either way, both Pádraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy will need a low score today if they are to get back into contention at this Open Championship.

World number two Rory McIlroy will be hoping his late drama at the Open yesterday when he hit a spectator on the head with a drive will not have an effect when he begins his second round this morning.

So keen is Rory McIlroy to move his already glittering career onto the next level, he would regard victory in this week’s Open Championship as “my biggest achievement in golf”.

Pádraig Harrington may not win the Irish Open this week but one thing is for sure, he won’t give up the fight easily.

Kim Clijsters today shrugged off any concerns over a hip injury and declared herself “ready to go” as she prepares to defend her Australian Open crown.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON has set his sights on winning more Majors in the wake of his compatriots’ recent successes at Pebble Beach, Congressional and Sandwich.