McIlroy ready for a rest

Rory McIlroy hopes he is over the worst at his final event of 2009 - not just in how he is scoring, but also in how he is feeling.

The 20-year-old managed only a one-over-par 73 in the opening round of the 12-man Nedbank Challenge in South Africa yesterday to be in joint last place.

However, he had arrived at Sun City with "jelly legs" and 'flu-like symptoms and was reported to have been put on a drip during a thunderstorm delay.

"I think I'm a bit run down," McIlroy wrote on his blog, referring to "various potions" a doctor had given him.

"I've been on the go for nine weeks now and I think it's beginning to take its toll.

"After this week I'll be going back home to Ireland and I'm really looking forward to spending time in my house, seeing my family and friends and not having to think about golf for a while."

Ireland's world number 10 was not out of the running for first prize entering the second round, however.

Leader Robert Allenby was only five strokes ahead of him, a four-under 68 putting the Australian one in front of South Africans Retief Goosen and Tim Clark.