Magnificent McIlroy must keep eyes on the prize

NOT even Pádraig Harrington, widely regarded along with Vijay Singh as the hardest worker in the game, has been able to get in some practice since the cold spell kicked in just before Christmas.

Instead, Harrington and all the others have been making do with some strenuous exercise in the gym while also taking the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Indeed, the three-time major champion and Rory McIlroy, of whom so much is also expected in 2010, won’t be seen in competitive action again until the end of January when they compete respectively in the Los Angeles Open and the Abu Dhabi Championship.

After that, McIlroy will be aiming to become the first player to win back-to-back titles when he returns to defend the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club from February 1 to February 7.