Rory hoping his torture ends in China
The four tried their hands beating a tune on Chinese battle drums before each was presented with an oversize Chinese fortune cookie, McIlroy’s message reading: “The contest is tough but you can be tougher”.
McIlroy would also dearly love to steer clear of his much-publicised off course troubles to claim victory in the opening event of the Tour’s four-tournament Final Series.
McIlroy goes into action with a new Nike driver but discounted the importance of getting back to World No. 1.
“Not being World No. 1 doesn’t matter to me as I could be No. 3 or No. 63 in the world as that doesn’t really make much difference to me,” he said.
“What is more important to me is that I haven’t won any tournaments this year and that burning desire to win more tournaments is still there in me.
“I know it hasn’t been my best year but then I’ve still got a lot of determination and motivation to also get back to World No. 1.”
If there was any doubt McIlroy’s star has lost any of its shine then that was quickly discounted when the double Major Champion was the focus of spectacular evening laser light show on the 18th green of this week’s Lake Malaren Golf Course.
Later in the evening McIlroy was spotted in conversation with his former management boss Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler’ along with two of Chandler’s ISM client managers and their leading client, Lee Westwood.
McIlroy was jovial and looked very much at ease and in stark contrast to the court proceedings set in train in Dublin earlier last week.
And in an example of McIlroy’s wider interest in his fellow competitors he has praised Dubliner Peter Lawrie in travelling to Australia last week to retain 2014 Tour membership.
“I’m really pleased for Peter as I was closely following his progress last week from South Korea and I’m really delighted he wrapped up his Tour card,” said McIlroy.
“Missing six cuts in a row before going to Australia was not Peter Lawrie.”
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