EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS:RORY McILROY resumes tournament play in the European Masters high up in the Swiss Alps, at Crans Montana, in Switzerland today where he and Lee Westwood, joint-third in the USPGA Championship three weeks ago, have been paired together for the start of the Ryder Cup race.
The 20-year-old from Holywood in Northern Ireland is currently third on the European Tour money list and victory this weekend would take him above Martin Kaymer – out for at least another month after breaking a foot go-karting – and Paul Casey, whose return from a rib injury is in Boston rather than Crans-sur-Sierre.
But Westwood is only one spot behind his stablemate and has his sights on regaining the Order of Merit crown he held in 2000 before slumping outside the world’s top 250.
The big difference in McIlroy is that he has finally had his hair cut, for the first time since just after his Dubai Desert Classic victory at the start of February. That was his first tour win, but only because he made a mess of the European Masters a year ago.
McIlroy led by three after an opening 63 and by four with a round to go, but missed a five-foot par putt for victory on the final green and then from 18 inches at the second play-off hole to lose to Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin.
“My goal is certainly to go one better and I want to try doubly hard,” said the youngster. “It was tough to deal with, but I think it made me a stronger person and I learnt a lot. It was the catalyst for bigger and better things.”
There have been plenty of those on both sides of the Atlantic. His world ranking is now 24th, whereas entering this tournament 12 months ago he was 172nd.
McIlroy has always insisted majors mean more to him than the Ryder Cup – “in the big scheme of things it’s not that important an event for me,” he said controversially – but it would still be a huge surprise if he does not make his debut at Celtic Manor. “If I play the next 12 months like I have the last 12 months I should have no problem,” he added.
McIlroy is one of eight Irish players (along with Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Gary Murphy and Gareth Maybin) in the field where Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie – not playing here because of fatigue – makes the point everyone will be “starting from scratch” in their bids to make the team.
McIlroy is also part of history this week in the first co-sanctioned event between the European and Asian tours to be staged in Europe. Thirty five of the 156-strong field are members of the Asian circuit.
As the race for Ryder Cup places starts Westwood is determined to end a barren spell which stretches back almost two years. Ryder Cup points are not on the 36-year-old’s mind, in fact if he had his way nobody would talk or write about the match until next September. “I’m here for one reason and that is to try and win the European Masters,” Westwood said. “If I win then the rest will take care of itself. There is no point in worrying about something that is a consequence of something else – in other words, playing well. I am not thinking about the Ryder Cup at all. It only comes into my mind when you lot mention it!”
Westwood has done a lot of playing well again this year, but none of it has ended with him holding a trophy. A last-hole bogey denied him a play-off in the British Open and at last month’s USPGA Championship he was third again.
He also believes that next year could be the one when he finally breaks through in the majors. “I’m looking forward to them now that I know what I need to improve and work on to win one,” he added.
“They are just minute things and having been on Tour and playing the game at this level for the past 16 years I know that there is no next level so to speak. I just need to make small improvements here and there and that can make all the difference in four rounds of golf in a major championship.”
So can fitness, and in that department he knows he has some work to do. “I’ve been in Portugal the last two weeks and I think I’ve put on about half a stone – I daren’t get on the scales! I have to get back into the gym.”
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh hopes to catch the eye of Presidents Cup captain Greg Norman after recovering from a rib muscle injury.
Norman is captain of the International team to play the US next month and makes his two wildcard choices on Tuesday. “Obviously it’s on my mind but it’s his call at the end of the day,” Singh said yesterday.
“I’m glad to be back playing again and I feel my game is coming round,” added the world number 43, Asia’s highest profile player at Crans.
European Masters
Course:Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans Montana, Switzerland
Length:6,822yds. Par: 71.
Prizemoney:€2 million, €333,330 to the winner.
Field:156.
Defending champion:Jean-Francois Lucquin, who was gifted victory by Rory McIlroy in a play-off.
Course record:Colin Montgomerie 260 (72 holes).
On TV:Live on Sky all four days, starting 10.30am today.
Weather:Showery first two days. Sunny but cool Saturday with sun and cloud Sunday.
