McIlroy plays down back injury fears

RORY McIlroy played down fears he could miss next week’s WGC-Accenture Match-Play Championship despite meeting a Belfast specialist today to assess a back concern.

McIlroy arrived home this morning after a disappointing finish in the defence of his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title. Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated double European Number One Lee Westwood at the third extra play-off hole after both players ended regulation play locked at 11-under par.

B Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (73) secured third place on 10-under par with McIlroy and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (75) sharing sixth place.

McIlroy with have a scan today in Belfast on a troublesome Sacroiliac Joint or S-I joint on the left side of his spine.

McIlroy revealed he had his back heavily strapped for the closing two rounds in Dubai and he had been taking anti-inflammatory and pain-killing pills throughout the weekend before carding a 73 for an eight-under par tally.

“My back has been bothering me for a few days now,” said McIlroy before leaving Dubai.

“That’s why I am going for scan. I think it’s just a repetitive injury and comes from hitting a lot of balls, and it just niggles a little bit.”

Graeme McDowell carded a closing round 75 to drop to a share of 20th place on three under par with Gareth Maybin who signed off for a 72. But while McIlory and McDowell returned home, Maybin and Darren Clarke headed eastwards for this week’s Avantha Masters in New Dehli.

Maybin never recovered from a second-hole double bogey in carding a closing day 77 for a three-under par tally.

Clarke bogeyed his closing two holes after yet another indifferent putting display to sign for a 73 and a two under par total.

And Damien McGrane, the last remaining Irish player in the field, closed with a 72 for a one-over par total.

Meanwhile McIlroy’s manager, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler has scoffed at suggestions McIlroy is set to sign a $US 40m (€29.2m) five-year deal with club manufacturer, Nike. A Sunday newspaper suggested McIlroy will switch from Titleist and join the likes of Tiger Woods and Paul Casey as Nike staff golfers.

“It cannot happen!” Chandler said bluntly. McIlroy has only just re-signed with major sponsor Jumeirah in a three-year deal announced on the eve of the Dubai event.