McIlroy withdraws from Abu Dhabi with rib "stress fracture"

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23:  Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in action during the third round of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has been forced to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after tests revealed he has sustained a rib injury — specifically, a stress fracture.

The Northern Irishman underwent extensive clinical examinations on Monday after picking up the injury in South Africa last week and will now commence rehabilitation and return to golf when he is fully recovered from the stress fracture.

He said: “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."

McIlroy picked up his injury ahead of the BMW SA Open on Friday but managed to play on despite breathing difficulties and take Graeme Storm all the way to sudden-death.

The injury will affect his build up for the Masters, which begins in 10 weeks. 

McIlroy was planning to play more build up events than he has in recent years but as a result of the injury, it remains to be seen when he will return to action.

He is scheduled to play the Omega Dubai Desert Classic from February 2-5 before heading to the US for the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles from February 16-19.

The Honda Classic and the WGC-Mexico Championship would likely be the next events on his schedule.

The final field list for the ‘Desert Swing’ opener in Abu Dhabi is still a strong one with two of the world’s top four golfers in Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson set to tee it up for the Falcon Trophy.

Ryder Cup players Rickie Fowler, Danny Willett, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Pieters, Andy Sullivan, Lee Westwood and Chris Wood are also in the field.

from News - Irish Golf Desk http://ift.tt/2jsdgPj