Rory McIlroy’s 2017 season is not off to an ideal start. The four-time major winner announced on Monday that he was withdrawing from this week’s European Tour event, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with a stress fracture in one of his ribs. McIlroy said on Sunday after losing in a playoff at the BMW SA Open that he would have an MRI scan of his back when he got to Abu Dhabi.
Rory McIlroy’s rib injury forces an Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship withdrawal
The No. 2 player in the world will have to miss his second start of the year.
Rory said the scan was to “see what’s up with this joint in my back,” which had bothered him for a few days in South Africa last week. But apparently the issue is not with his back but rather his ribs, and now he’ll miss at least one of the early season events that he loves to play each year.
Rory’s statement reflected that obvious frustration with having to miss the Abu Dhabi start.
“It’s bitterly disappointing to have to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. I think everyone knows how much I love playing this tournament, which is one of the best on the European Tour thanks to the incredible support of HSBC and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. To be forced to miss this week through injury is really quite annoying to be perfectly honest, but I am sure the tournament will be a huge success and I hope everyone involved has a great week. In situations like this you simply have to listen to the experts and the team I have consulted have all advised me to rest until my rib has fully recovered.”
Rory’s next planned start is in just two weeks at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, another event that is of significance to the Ulsterman. That’s where he got his first professional win and it’s been another staple of his opening schedule each year. It’s a disappointing turn to start a year in which so many massive things were predicted for Rory.
While the Middle East swing is a nice start to the season, the priority is obviously getting healthy in time for the first week of April and the Masters. McIlroy did not disclose the seriousness of his injury or how long it could keep him out beyond this instant event in Abu Dhabi.
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