Rory McIlroy eyes big game in South Africa

He’s one of golf’s big three but while he has spent a few days watching Africa’s big five and has his sights set on returning to world number one this month, Rory McIlroy’s early-season sojourn to South Africa is all about one thing — the first major of the year.

After rescuing what was looking like a decidedly average 2016 by stealing the FedEx Cup from under Dustin Johnson’s nose with two wins in the playoffs, the 27-year old admitted trying to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods by completing the career grand slam with a Masters victory is his big goal for the first few months.

That said, the defending Race to Dubai champion admits having come up short in his two previous attempts to complete his major “set”, he knows the longer the wait goes on, the tougher it will become.