ALL SET TO PLAY: McIlroy

AFP/Los Angeles

Double Major-winning Rory McIlroy has revealed he will end his season contesting the Australian Open in Sydney and the following week’s Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge in Los Angeles.

McIlroy confirmed his appearance in both events after finishing in a share of eighth place in the defence of his PGA Championship title at Oak Hill.

The Australian Open will be staged at the Royal Sydney course from November 28 to December 1.

“It is pretty much locked in place I will be playing the Australian Open in Sydney,” he said.

“It’s been a couple of years since I last competed in an Australian Open. I competed in 2006 when I was still an amateur and then a year later after just turning pro. Both were in Sydney and I’ve always enjoyed myself in Sydney so I am very much looking forward to returning to Royal Sydney.”

On his last Australian Open appearance in 2007 McIlroy finished well down the field in a share of 59th with scores of 74, 74, 76 and 77.

McIlroy is no stranger to the 2000 Olympic Games host city as earlier this year his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki contested the Apia International and the pair were photographed atop Sydney Tower. McIlroy has the photograph on his Twitter page.

There had been suggestions McIlroy was all set to compete in last year’s Australian Open for a reported $1 million appearance fee.

However, both Golf Australia and his Dublin-based Horizon Sports manager, Conor Ridge, denied the rumour.

But while McIlroy has not tasted success since then he was still expected to command the million-dollar appearance fee to tee up on the Royal Sydney course.

McIlroy said he has also accepted an invitation a week later to play in the Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge from December 5-8 at the Sherwood Country Club course in suburban Los Angeles.

“It will be a great two weeks to finish up my year so I’m looking forward to competing in both events,” he said.

McIlroy admitted after his best finish this year in the Majors he had left the Rochester course with the
same feelings experienced last year in Ohio in finishing eighth in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational a week before capturing a second Major Championship victory.

“I feel just like I did in leaving the Bridgestone last year as my game is pretty much in great shape.

“There’s still enough golf ahead of me this year to turn it into very good year,” he said.

“I have four very big weeks coming up to try and finish off the PGA Tour season well.

“I’ve also got a few events out in Asia, the Australian Open and Tiger’s event so I’ve got plenty of opportunity to round off my year on a good note.”

Cancer survivor Lyle to make tournament return

Sydney: Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle will make a return to professional golf at the Australian Masters in November after an 18-month battle with cancer, organisers said yesterday.

Lyle, a member of the US PGA Tour, was diagnosed with a recurrence of the leukaemia he battled as a teenager in March last year and has been sidelined since.

But the 31-year-old has agreed to make his return at the Australian Masters from November 14-17, where he will share the limelight with US Masters and defending champion Adam Scott and America’s world No.6 Matt Kuchar.

“I’ve made the decision to play the Masters this year as a test to see where everything is at before I look to head back to the States and the PGA Tour,” Lyle said on the tournament website.

“That first tee shot is going to be for everybody who’s supported me through all of this, but especially for my girls, Bri and Lusi,” he added, referring to his wife and young daughter. “I will be smiling from ear to ear for at least 36 holes. I’ll enjoy the whole atmosphere, whether I play well or not.” Lyle last played on the PGA Tour at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico in early 2012 where he finished in a tie for 37th.