Still time for Rory to undo some of the damage

Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour season might have been a nightmare almost from start to finish but there is much for the talented Holywood star to glean from the last two months of his competitive year.

Failing to win in the US or even qualify for the finale of the FedEx Cup series, this week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta, is an unmitigated disaster for the 24-year old and his big-money sponsors Nike.

But with seven events still to play when he returns from his four-week break in the Kolon Korea Open next month, there is still time to undo some of the damage.

Sorting out his off-course problems regarding management will be near the top of the agenda and while one suspects he has most of his new plans in place, it may be next year before we see the unveiling of the new McIlroy empire.

The latter part of the season has been labelled the Wheelbarrow Race following Ernie Els’ off the cuff remark about taking advantage of what are essentially business opportunities for the big guns near the end of the year.

And while we would be surprised if McIlroy did not make several million dollars in appearances fees — his one-day exhibition with Tiger Woods at Mission Hills is a case in point — he can use his last seven appearances of the year to sharpen his game for 2014.