Golf: McIlroy 'sick' of too easy European Tour courses

ST. ANDREWS -- Rory McIlroy said Sunday he was "sick" of not being challenged by European Tour courses which fail to reward barnstorming scoring.

The world number two lashed out after finishing the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in a tie for 26th place despite a 15 under par total.

He carded a final round 67 thanks to birdies on his last six holes but was still seven shots behind champion Victor Perez of France.

"I'm honestly sick of coming back over to the European Tour, shooting 15 under par and finishing 30th," four-time Major winner McIlroy was quoted by Sky Sports. 

"I don't think the courses are set up hard enough. There are no penalties for bad shots, and it's tough when you come back when it's like that. I don't feel like good golf is regarded as well as it could be.

"I think if the European Tour want to put forth a really good product, the golf courses and setups need to be tougher."

In his other recent European Tour starts, the Northern Irishman carded a 14 under at the European Masters only to lose to Sebastian Soderberg in a play-off.

He then finished on 11 under at last week's PGA Championship at Wentworth but was still nine shots off the pace of champion Danny Willett.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McIlroy eyes green jacket after stellar 2014

DUBAI - As he picked up the European money list trophy for the second time in three seasons on Sunday, Rory McIlroy had two words to say when asked for his goals for 2015: "Green Jacket".

To golfers, that phrase means one thing -- winning the U.S. Masters, the only major championship to elude the Northern Irishman.

"It's not something I thought possible, I will work hard and make sure I'm ready for that," McIlroy told reporters after tying for second at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the European Tour season-ender.

Winning in Augusta will be tough -- no European has done it since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 -- yet world number one McIlroy is well equipped to end the drought after a season in which he claimed a maiden British Open title, a second U.S. PGA crown and two other European Tour victories.

"In terms of ball striking, I've driven it better, which is a huge part of my game," McIlroy told reporters.

"When I drive it well I can give myself shorter irons into greens and more opportunities for birdies. My mid-range putting has been very good this year."

The 25-year-old admitted the pressure of being the world's best had been difficult to handle.

"I used to be uncomfortable. There's added scrutiny and there's added criticism," said McIlroy. "But I learned to deal with it. It's just part of the title. I want to keep it for as long as I possibly can."

McIlroy's 2014 resurgence happened despite off-course dramas. He split up with his fiancee, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, and is involved in a legal dispute with his former agents which led him to miss some tournaments.

"I learned a lot from it. I feel I came through this year stronger and wiser and can go into 2015 in a much better place," said McIlroy.

He said he was encouraged to finish just adrift of Dubai winner Henrik Stenson despite three undistinguished rounds following Thursday's opening 66.

"It's a really big positive, not just going into next year, but the rest of my career," McIlroy added.

"In seasons gone by, a bad week for me would have been middle of the pack or if there was a cut, maybe battling to make the cut."

(Editing by Ian Chadband)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vina proud of Shaina's effort to move on

MANILA, Philippines - Singer-actress Vina Morales is proud her sister Shaina Magdayao is already moving on, months after her breakup with actor John Lloyd Cruz.

"She's moving on. Nakita mo naman yung glow niya na happy siya. Yun ang gusto ko na makita sa kanya. Ayaw ko na malungkot siya, ayaw kong malungkot siya," Morales said without directly mentioning Cruz.

Morales also said her sister has matured since her latest heartbreak.

"She really matured a lot and I'm proud of her kasi nakita ko 'yung changes, kung paano siya mag-decide ngayon," Morales told reporters.

Morales believes Magdayao's decision to go on a European tour helped her sister.

"Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Shaina magma-madre ka na ba?' Kasi devoted siya kay Father Pio and there's nothing wrong if she keeps on praying to keep her strong. Lahat naman tayo wala tayong tatakbuhan kung talagang medyo nagiging weak tayo kung hindi si Lord lang naman. That's what I see in her," she said.

"I'm really happy for her na nagkaroon ng enlightenment, ng peace of mind," Morales added.

source: abs-cbnnews.com