McIlroy won’t be intimidated in Donald duel

RORY MCILROY will aim to show he has learnt the lesson of two years ago when he goes head-to-head with Luke Donald in Dubai tomorrow.

The European Tour money list title is on the line, just as it was when McIlroy was ‘intimidated’ by Lee Westwood on the same Earth course at the inaugural Dubai World Championship.

Westwood won their duel by two shots and went on to a six-stroke victory, while the young Irishman ended up third after admitting that he lost the psychological battle in that opening round.

“It was tough to fully concentrate on my own game when you’re looking at the player beside you,” McIlroy said yesterday.

“I feel like it’s something I’ve learnt because when I go out with Luke in the last game I’ll only be trying to concentrate on myself and making sure that I can play the best I can.”

The situation this time is that McIlroy will become the circuit’s number one only if he wins and Donald, leading by more than £680,000, finishes outside the top nine.

Westwood and McIlroy went head-to-head in that first round with Westwood shooting a 64 and McIlroy a 68 and that was the closest McIlroy got to the Englishman.

Westwood, still without a major, was reminded of the event two years ago ahead of this week’s e5.6m event.

“I don’t think I exploited the experience of playing with Rory, as I used my experience,” said Westwood.

“Well, maybe that was exploiting his experience a little bit, but it’s part of the game really, isn’t it.

“I didn’t jump out and put him off or anything like that.

“But obviously Rory is more experienced now. He’s got two years of extra competitiveness under his belt, and he did well to win last week. But I think the ball is still in Luke’s [Donald] court.”

One of the first tasks McIlroy undertook upon arrival in Dubai on Monday was to revisit a Dubai hospital for further tests in relation to his white blood cell count.

He indicated he will not know the results until later this week and if so advised, McIlroy could withdraw from his final event of the year, next week’s Asian Tour Thailand Golf Championship in flood-ravaged Bangkok.

Despite the thrilling excitement last Sunday of his victory in Hong Kong, McIlroy again looked weary in front of the media present at the Jumeirah Estates course.

He admitted he could not recall who he competed alongside last week in Hong Kong when asked when was the last time he and Race to Dubai rival, Luke Donald last played a competitive round together.

“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you who I played with last week,” he said smiling.

McIlroy also was not too enthused when his father, Gerry, who along his mother, Rosie have come out to Dubai, brought up an aspect of McIlroy’s win last week in Hong Kong.

“I caught up with mom and dad yesterday [Monday], and they said congratulations and everything, but dad then said, ‘How many putts did you miss?” said McIlroy laughing.