He’s one of golf’s big three but while he has spent a few days watching Africa’s big five and has his sights set on returning to world number one this month, Rory McIlroy’s early-season sojourn to South Africa is all about one thing — the first major of the year.

He may not have enjoyed his two days’ play at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open but Rory McIlroy had got his missed cut out of his system by Sunday to declare the tournament he hosted an incredible success.

You would be forgiven for not recognising many of the players on top of the leaderboard going into the Irish Open final round yesterday.

Rory McIlroy might be big box office, but the Irish Open still needs a commitment from the Irish Government to ensure the event builds on the momentum of what promises to be an 80,000 sellout at Royal County Down next May.