Olazabal: Oz win has Rory on road to recovery

Jose Maria Olazabal has backed Rory McIlroy to bounce back from a miserable 2013 and be a central figure in Europe’s bid to retain the Ryder Cup in September.

Former captain Olazabal, who oversaw the greatest comeback in the Ryder Cup’s 85-year history in Medinah two years ago, believes McIlroy’s dramatic victory in the Australian Open last month against Adam Scott is a sign that the Holywood star is returning to the form that made him world No 1.

“It’s true the Australian victory was not as important as winning the US PGA by eight [in 2012] but winning on the 72nd hole was huge in the sense that Rory had been struggling with his game for the whole year and you always want to win a tournament.