Another McIlroy master class

RORY McILROY will still visit a Dubai hospital later today despite an energy-charged performance in capturing the UBS Hong Kong Open.

McIlroy shrugged off complaints of tiredness to exhibit one of the most celebratory shots of his career in holing from a bunker for birdie at the last to capture the title by two strokes with a 12-under par tally.

There was fist-pumping, embraces and back slapping, and scenes not seen since McIlroy captured last year’s Quail Hollow Championship on the PGA Tour.

Of course, McIlroy captured this year’s US Open but after his opening Congressional round that first Major seemed a formality for the 22-year old.

In contrast, McIlroy had to work for a first UBS Hong Kong Open success after finishing runner up in both 2008 and 2009.

McIlroy likened himself to Tiger Woods as he came from three behind to win by two from France’s Gregory Havret.

“When I won the Shanghai Masters, I really had to fight for the title, as I was one behind with four holes to play, drew level on 18 and won in the play-off,” he recalled.

“To be able to win golf tournaments when you’re not playing your best is what the likes of Tiger Woods did week in, week out.

“Tiger was winning seven, eight, nine tournaments a year, and that’s something you have to do if you are to become a great player.

“So I feel as if I am learning to do that. To come from behind, and draw level after nine holes and then play very solid golf on the back nine and be able to close it out is something I have probably not done before. This is a different win, but then it would be nice to be walking up the last with a four-shot lead every time!”

McIlroy left Hong Kong at 12.30am (4.30pm Sunday Irish time) this morning on a direct flight to Dubai and is in second place on the Race to Dubai behind Luke Donald.

For McIlroy to capture the Race to Dubai title he must win this week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship while Donald must finish outside the top 20.

Upon arrival in the UAE, McIlroy will visit the same hospital he attended late last month for tests to establish if his blood levels have returned to normal after contracting a mystery ‘bug’ while competing late last month in China.

But given McIlroy’s enthusiasm in the 18th hole bunker, it would seem the 22-year old is back to normal.

Among the first people he phoned were his parents, Gerry and Rosie, and his girlfriend, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, in Denmark.

It had been the suggestion of new manger, Conor Ridge, that McIlroy spend time in the gym prior to his closing round and the move seemed to have the desired effect. McIlroy worked up a decent sweat in clocking up 5km on a treadmill.

“I just felt so lethargic the last two mornings, and not much adrenaline in my body but Conor suggested I go down to the gym, go for a run, get myself moving, get the blood flowing and heart rate up and see if that helps,” he said.

“So I really got some sweat up doing some exercises and running 5K. I was doing intervals of one minute at 15km an hour, two minutes on 10, two minutes on 15, and it took 25 minutes.”

And just as happy was Ridge with Mcllroy delivering Horizon Sports Management a first Tour success just five weeks after signing with the Dubin-based company.

“I’m delighted, to win a tournament in that manner is just fantastic,” said Ridge.

“I am just so happy for him.”