Rory McIlroy looks to defend title

Report by Anand Datla

November 27, 2014: Tomorrow will see the golfing season shift into high gear with the tee off at the Australian Open. World No.1 Rory McIlroy is in contention along with a host of stars from the PGA Tour. The Northern Irishman is among the early starters tomorrow, getting his title defense off from the 10th hole.

McIlroy’s plate has been full these recent past weeks, as he spent energy mounting a strong case against his erstwhile management company over disputed commissions. Horizon has also counter sued the golfer over unpaid dues. Meanwhile, McIlroy is also trying to keep his focus on the game as he seeks to join an elite list of golfer who have complete the grand slam collection of all four majors during their careers.

This week though, McIlroy coming off a tied second at the DP World Tour Championship will be hoping to become only the third golfer after Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as the only overseas players to have successfully won back-to-back Australian Open titles.

The Australian Golf Club, venue of this week’s event could witness a historic achievement, last accomplished in 1976. That was the year when Nicklaus defended the title he first won in 1975.

Player has the unique honour of having done the deed twice – having won back to back titles first in 1962-63 and then again in 1969-70. “I noticed on the trophy when I was handed it last year I was the first non-Australian to win the Australian Open since Tim Clark in 2008 but to match something that Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have achieved would be amazing,” McIlroy said Sunday.   “Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Player are two players to have won the Grand Slam and their connection with the Australian Open is pretty timely for me.”

With Augusta round the corner, thoughts of a grand slam are already occupying space in the mind of the young golfer. “I have been thinking about Augusta next year since the 18th August this year when I won the PGA Championship for a second time,” he said. “So it might be a good omen for me going to Augusta in April if I could again win the Australian Open.”

The Australian Open will be the last golf event on this year’s calendar for McIlroy. The world No.1 will take a well deserved break through Christmas and New Year after a brief spell in New York to raise fund for his foundation.

McIlroy will be back on the course at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship that starts on January 15. “I will have a little bit of downtime over Christmas and New Year, which will be nice and I’ll start practicing again early in the New Year and get ready for Abu Dhabi,” he said.