Rory gets welcome fit for king in China

RORY McILROY arrived at the giant Mission Hills complex on Hainan Island to a welcome usually afforded a head of state.

The reigning US Open champion jetted in from Dubai via the China mainland before landing at Haikou on the northern tip of the island located off the south-east coast.

McIlroy, wearing t-shirt, jeans and track shoes, was welcomed by a security guard saluting and a line of young women on the hotel steps holding a tray of Hawaiian-like leis.

But it was Mission Hills Group vice chairman, Tenniel Chu, who now runs the giant Chinese company following the death of his father, who placed a lei over McIlroy’s head and officially welcomed him to China.

However, McIlroy could be forgiven if he thought he wasn’t back at home in Ireland with steady rain and strong winds turning the occasion into a winter-like scene and nothing like Waikiki Beach.

And despite plenty of billboards and posters all about Haikou International Airport promoting the event, McIlroy must also have wondered about one large blue-and-white sign also at the airport highlighting ‘The 11th World Toilet Summit’ taking place in Haikou from November 22-24.

McIlroy also arrived after a two-week break without world number one tennis girlfriend Caroline Wozinacki by his side to team Graeme McDowell under the Irish flag for Thursday’s starting €5.6m Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

“I’ve had a good two-week vacation and it was just really good to chill out because I had been on the go for while and just needed a break,” said McIlroy.

“It was great to put the feet up in Dubai I can tell you there wasn’t any dust settling on my clubs. I spent a lot to time working on my game as I’ve got an important four-week run to end my season.

“I’m really looking forward to joining up again with G Mac this week and hopefully going one better in the World Cup than we did two years ago.

“Then it’s back into Race to Dubai mode for the Hong Kong Open and then Dubai, and I’m winding up my year in Bangkok for the Thailand Open. So I feel relaxed and also refreshed and looking forward to these four weeks.

“Firstly, I’d love for G Mac and myself to win this week after the disappointment of last year but then I want try and win Hong Kong because I finished second there a few years back and I need to do well again to put any pressure on Luke [Donald].

“But foremost I just want to end the year with another Tour victory. I won in Shanghai a few weeks ago but I want a second win this year on the European Tour.”