Rory McIlroy spoke to the press Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Listen to his full news conference as he talks about his practice round with Tiger Woods.

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-Welcome again to Abu Dhabi. It's a place that you know well an...

-Welcome again to Abu Dhabi. It's a place that you know well and a place you've played well at, a second, third and fifth in the last three years. Just give us your thoughts on returning to a venue where you clearly play well. -Yeah. You know, this is the fifth time I've played this tournament in Abu Dhabi and I've pretty much, you know, done well every year. You know, it's a golf course that I feel suits me. Maybe it doesn't suit me as well as it does to Martin Kaymer, but I'm getting there. But-- yeah, I mean it's a great place to start the year. I usually come out to Dubai a couple of weeks before and do some practise. You know, the weather is, you know, usually pretty nice to-- to get your game in shape, and, you know, really looking forward to this week. It's a great field and a great way to start the year and, you know, I'm excited-- I'm excited to get the new season up and running. -Yeah, obviously it's difficult because it's your first competitive action of the year to know how good your form is. But, it was certainly good at the end of last year. A great run of win at form at the win in Hong Kong; that must please you to take it into this year. -Yeah, definitely, I feel like-- I definitely built a little bit of momentum at the end of 2011 and it would-- it would be great to keep that-- keep that momentum going at the start of this year. You know, I felt like I played some-- some good golf in the last couple of months of-- of the season and, you know, I've worked on a couple of things. You know, the last couple weeks, I felt like there was a few things I could-- I could do a little bit better and, you know, feel like they're sort of clicking into place. So, you know, and this week will be a good gauge to see how-- how those things-- -Sure. -are coming along. -And a fairly easy draw; low profile, no sort of-- -Very quiet. -Yeah. -pressure around you there. -Yeah. Yeah, it will be great. You know, I played nine holes with Tiger yesterday, and, you know, to play with Luke and him the first two days will be, you know, it will be great and I mean definitely, you know, a nice way to start the year, you know. -Yup, thanks for that. We'll take some questions. Microphones are either side. Who'll start this off? -Neil. Thank you. -Rory, how did that practise round with Tiger come about? -I don't know if you saw us sort of trying to dance and play the drums up on that stage yesterday. But, you know, we were just saying, you know, "Are you going to go out and play?" And Tiger went, "Yeah, I'm going to play nine." And I said, "So am I." And, just went out in there and, you know, played nine holes. It was good. -Next, please. In front here. -Rory, considering how popular the-- the swing has become, is this really the start of your season? I mean the way you look at the year, either here or Dubai, depending on how the schedule works out? -Yeah, I mean this has been the start of my season for the last five-- the last five years; so every, you know-- ever since I-- I started on-- on the Tour, you know, full-time, so. Yeah, this has always been the start of my year, and-- and hopefully it will continue to be so, yeah. -Steve, please. -Rory, more to that point, how much do you enjoy starting in-- in this part of the world? -Yeah, it's great. You know, I-- I-- I came out here on the 12th of January. Obviously, the weather at home at the minute-- at the minute isn't too good to practise in. So, you know, to come out here and get your game in shape and-- and really, you know, put in a couple of weeks of hard work is nice. And, you know, to stay out here, and-- and, you know, I'm going to play in Dubai in a couple of weeks' time and I've got next week to-- to practise again, so. Yeah, I mean this is-- you know, for me, this is the perfect place to start. -You travel all over the world; What's the reception like from the fans here, on and off the golf course? -It's great. I mean I-- I obviously have a very close connection with Dubai. One of-- one of my main sponsors is based there and it was the-- the first professional tournament that I won. So, I've-- and I've been playing in the Dubai Desert Classic for-- since 2006, so. But, you know, here is-- is great, as well. It's-- you know, they have developed a tournament every year and turned it into probably be, you know, the premiere event in-- in the swing with the field and-- and the ranking points and everything that comes along with it. -Have the fans become more golf savvy do you think over the years? -Yeah, definitely, I think so. Yeah, I mean I think they're-- they are still-these-- they're still learning but, you know, that-- I think the first tournament here, was it 2006? 2005? -2006. -2006? So, you know, it's been coming here for a few years, and I-- so, they're-- they are obviously, you know, getting a little more knowledge every year. -Yes, gentleman, down in the front here. -Hey, Rory. When we saw you in Dubai last, you were struggling with fitness and talking about dengue fever. How is your-- how is your health, and maybe talk a little bit about what you were doing in the off-season. -Yeah, it was-- yeah, I definitely wasn't-- wasn't feeling my best in the last couple of weeks of the season last year. But, I actually stayed out in Dubai for ten days. Afterwards, I was advised not to travel anywhere for at least a week, so I stayed in Dubai for ten days. I got home on the 22nd of December, spent three or four days at home. And then I actually flew to Thailand to spend the New Year with my family and Caroline's family, as well. So, that was very nice. And, I went back to-- to Northern Ireland for a week and-- and then came out to Dubai. -Yes, Laurence in the back center. -Everybody is here, Rory, all of the big names and everything, I wonder if there's any sense that you really want to make a statement this week; you know, Tiger is here -coming off a win and-- and all that kind of thing. -Yeah, I think I-- you know, it's always nice to start the season off well. I felt like I've-- I've sort of done that in the last couple of years, without obviously winning. But, yeah, I mean you'd like to go out and not so much to make a statement or, you know, any sort of intention, but just to-- I think just for yourself to-- to know that what you might have been working on in the-- in the off-season is-- is coming together nicely, you know, and again, it gives you a little bit of momentum going into the, you know, the next few events. But, you know, it's always great to start the season well. And, it gives you a little bit of confidence. -Down here, please. -Rory, you-- you mentioned playing in Dubai in 2006. Can you remember sort of during that photographer's lens that-- that day following Tiger? -Yeah. -Are those memories still pretty clear? -Yeah, pretty much. Yeah, yeah, I remember that afternoon. Yeah. -And-- and in some ways us now with the U.S. Open under your belt and what you've achieved in the game, do you sort of sit back sometimes and pinch yourself how much you have achieved? -Yeah, I mean the thing that I always-- of course, you know, I'm-- I'm very proud of what I've achieved in the game, and I feel as if I can-- I can achieve a lot more. But it always-- you know, this is going to be my fifth full year on Tour, and, you know, it's going to be my seventh Dubai Desert Classic. I mean it just that pinches me-- you know, it-- it surprises me so much how-- how fast the years go. I mean, you know, we are already in 2012. I can remember, you know, going into my first full season in 2008 and sort of doing the same thing, coming out to Dubai early, you know, practising and playing in this tournament, so. Yeah, it's just amazing how fast it goes. -Oliver, did you have question? These microphones are just there. Thank you. -Rory, I mean Tiger is obviously known for creating his own bubble. I mean I just wondered how often you are communicating with him and-- and kind of what your relationship generally was like with him, and-- and also obviously playing nine holes with him yesterday, whether you kind of noticed any sort of, you know, difference in his demeanor; whether he seemed kind of happier with his-his game and everything based-- you know, compared to a year ago. -Yeah, I mean I've-- I've only really sort of gotten to know him over the past couple of years, I would say. But I've always felt like I've had a pretty good relationship with him. And, you know, I-- I think, you know, I feel pretty comfortable in his company. And, I feel like he feels pretty comfortable in mine, so. It was good. And, you know, the practise round was-- it was good. And, you know, he seems like he-- he's happy with everything. I know he's definitely happy that he feels like he's back to 100 percent fitness, which is-- which is great for him. And, you know, he-- he definitely hit a lot of-- lot of good shots out there. So, you know, I think he's worked hard in the off-season, and, you know, looks like his game is in pretty good shape. -David, please. -Rory, you-- you've been talked as a-- a future world number one pretty much since you turned pro and you got fairly close last year. I just wonder if that's one of the big targets for this year, and what the other goals are. -Yeah, I mean it's-- you know, the-- the rankings are-- you know, they are sort of a by-product of-- of what you do on the-- you know. So, I mean I'd rather just concentrate on trying to win tournaments and-- and trying to improve as a player, and if-- and if I happen to do that, then, you know, hopefully the ranking will take care of itself. But, you know, goals for the season are-- I mean every year since I turned pro, I've just tried to improve, you know, just tried to get a little bit better, either at one aspect of the game or overall or consistency or, you know, maybe, you know, putting in a little bit more work here and there. And, you know, that's-- that's pretty much the same goal I have this season is just trying to become a better player. And, you know, if I can do that, then, you know, hopefully the results will-- will take care of themselves. You know, I'm not really the one to-- to really set targets like, I want to win four tournaments this year, I want to win this or I want to win that. I'm more sort of focussed on the process of trying to, you know, become a better player, and if I do that, then obviously that will-- that will make it easier to win tournaments. -Yes, Laurence. -Hey, Rory. You mentioned earlier there were a couple of things you were working on; can you so-- for the train spotters here, can you tell us specifically what you were working on? -Just a, you know, just a few fundamentals. Posture was one of the key things, and just a little bit of, you know, swing plane and I was-- I was getting it. I was setting the club a little steep on the way back, so I was-- the club was getting a little bit across the line at the top and just trying to-- trying to feel like I'm getting the club pointed a little more left at the top so it's-- it's on the right plane. And, you know, and that's basically it. -Yes, John. Center, over here. -Rory, you mentioned Martin Kaymer. What is it about him and his game that suits his play so well? -I'm not sure. I mean I think, you know, certain guys have certain courses where they feel so comfortable, and the golf course fits their eye. And, obviously this is the, you know, the course that Martin feels suits him best. And, you know, I think he just feels comfortable off the tee. He hits a lot of fairways. And, you know, from there, he's-- he's one of the best iron players in the game, so he gives himself a lot of chances for birdies. And, you know, that's what you have to do around this golf course. It-- it really is a ball-striker's, you know, course; if you can put your ball in the fairway, you know, it sets you up for-- you know, it's pretty-- the greens aren't, you know, very severe, so you can get to go-- get the ball pretty close to the-- the pin from the fairway and, you know, give yourself a few chances. And, you know, that's obviously what he's done in the last few years. -Yes, Bob. -Rory, is it true that you've taken a liking to American football, and is that anything you discussed with Tiger yesterday? Obviously, it's the-- that the big part of the-- the season coming up. -Yeah. -And as-- and a-- as an aside, what was this-- what were the circumstances in 2006 at Dubai? -Yeah, I mean I've-- you know, I suppose from spending a little bit more time in the States, I've sort about, you know, gotten to like a few of these but the only one I go-- I'm still trying to get into is baseball, but I just-- it's-- it's tough to get into. If that's-- yeah, I mean, you know, if there's an American football game on, I'll-- I'll watch it. And then, I watched the highlights of the 49ers/Giants game a couple of nights ago. So, obviously it's-- it's a big part of the season, Super Bowl coming up and everything, so. And yeah, actually-- funny-- it was in 2009, I sat on a flight from New York to Las Vegas beside Brandon Jacobs, the running back for the Giants. I-- I mean I didn't have a clue who he was, but I sat beside him and everyone was coming up and shaking his hand and I was wondering who this guy was. And, I went on my phone and went on Google and Googled him and I realized he was a pretty good football player. -I think he asked the question about the-- -Oh, Dubai. -circumstances in Dubai. -In Dubai, I was just playing as-- I got an invite as an amateur in 2006 and 2007. And, yeah, I missed the cut in 2006 as an amateur. I shot, I think it was two 72s, but I think I played in the morning on the Thursday and shot 72 and Tiger was out in the afternoon, and I went out to follow him and stole one of the camera guy's cameras so I was able to get inside the ropes, so. -Yes, Rex, in the front row. -Rory, I know you went over the early part of your schedule on Twitter. Can you just kind of talk about some of the challenges of setting your schedule this year, bouncing back and forth? -Yeah, you know, you obviously don't want to try and play, you know, too many tournaments, you know, week-in, week-out, you know, bouncing back and forth. So, you know, after-- after I play in Dubai, I'll-- I'll go straight to the States and spend, you know, quite a bit of time there through the Masters and into Quail Hollow, TPC. And then, I'll-- I'll come back to Europe for Wentworth, and-- and then, you know it's-- it's not-- it's actually not-- it's not so bad. I mean I think, you know, what Luke did last year, it-- it proved to a lot of guys that, you know, it can be done and you can play that consistently while, you know, playing in both tours, so. You know, but it's not that much of a challenge. I mean it's-- you-- you get time to recover and, you know, you try and set your schedule out so-- you know, the only one that I think that I'll-- there's a sort of stretch there where you go Quail Hollow, TPC, back to-- back to Europe and then straight back to the States again for the run into the U.S. Open. So, that's probably the only bit of the season that will-- that will be a little tough. -Derek, far side. Thank you. -Rory, can you remember when you made the-- the step from watching Tiger outside the ropes or inside the ropes to feeling, as you said, comfortable in his company yesterday, or was it, you know, a gradual process? And does he still have that-- a little bit of an aura for you? -Yeah, I mean I-- you know, definitely the first time I played with Tiger, I was a little nervous. I remember playing a skins game at the Memorial Tournament with him in 2010; so, it wasn't even about two years ago. And, yeah, I mean the first time you play with him, it is-- you know, he's-- you know, you've watched this guy on TV your whole life winning Majors and doing things that no one thought was possible. So, you know, you're going to be a little awestruck by there. You know, I suppose once I got to spend a bit of time with him and maybe, you know, have lunch with him a few times on tour and everything there, you can sort of break the barrier down a little bit, and then, you know, it's-- it's fine from there. I played with him the first round at the-- the Chevron in 2010 and felt less in awe, and then obviously getting to know him a little bit better since, you know-- you know, I feel quite comfortable, you know, being around him. -Yes, Peter, on the center please. -Rory, in golfing terms and you're playing with a sort of practise round with-- with Tiger, are there any subjects in the sense that are taboo that you don't talk about, whether it's each other's putting or driving or did you-- -No, we talked about a lot of things. I mean we talked about putting yesterday. We talked about driving, we talked about feelings, we talked about, you know, what you're trying to do on the golf swing. You know, so that-- that-- that is-- is quite interesting to me, because obviously Tiger has went through, you know, a couple of swing changes in his career and talking about what he was trying to do maybe in 2000 and what he was trying to do in 2004 and then what he's trying to do now. And, you know, it's-- it's pretty interesting to me because I'm a-- I feel like, you know, I have quite a lot of knowledge on the golf swing and it's something I'm quite interested in. So, that-- to sort of share ideas with him was-- was pretty nice. -Yes, down in the front again please. -You know, obviously this is not a major but having a lineup like this and playing with this kind of field, I mean how does that feel and what does that do for your game? And also, I think you talked about this in Dubai a little bit, the idea of going out with Tiger on Sunday of-- with everything on the line. -Yeah, I mean it's definitely-- it's not a quiet way to start the year. It's-it's great, you know, you get straight at it right away. You know, you're playing with two of the best golfers in the world in the-- the first two days, and, you know, you're up against, you know, one of the strongest fields probably that will be assembled this year. And, you want to try and get off to a good start, so, you know, you want to try and play well. And-- but, you know, obviously the Majors have-- have that little bit extra and that's something different. But, you know, if-- if it-- it was to happen, if I was to-- to come up against Tiger at any point in the, you know, in the tournament this year, you know, it would be a, you know, a great thing for me, I think a huge challenge to see, you know, my-- how my game would-- would hold up against that sort of pressure, and, you know, something I could definitely learn from. -Yes, Carl, at the back please. Give a microphone to Carl, please. -[unk]. -All right, I'll forgive you. -Thank you. -Rory, I was just-- what you said about Tiger and his swing changes, Tiger is on his-- roughly his fourth swing at the moment, I think, and all of them fairly different or fairly marked changes. Do you see yourself making that many-- many changes on your swing during your career, or are you happy with the way it just develops with you and are you happy to just leave it the way it is; is that the sort of thing you have? -Yeah, I mean I-- you know, hopefully I won't have to change it. I mean I know, you know, Tiger had to change it because of his body and, you know-- you know, the way he is-- you know, he hurt his knee and everything, so he could not quite swing the way he did in the past. And, you know, he obviously has to make a few adjustments. And hopefully, you know, touch wood, that won't-- that will never happen to me; that-- that my body breaks down and so I have to change some part of my golf swing. But, you know, you're always making tiny little adjustments here and there and trying to-- to get it as good as you-- as you can. But, you know, I don't see myself making any, you know, major overhaul of my-- my golf swing. -I understand there maybe a little change in the background team, Steve MacGregor has gotten very busy now with his football commitments and with Lee and everything like that. He played a big part in giving you stability and helping you with a slight brack-- back problem and in stability. -Yeah. -How-- is that going to be difficult to replace or is it something that you can just work on with yourself? -No, I mean I feel like I've-- again, you know, I've learned a lot from-- from Steve and I've-- I feel like I've become pretty knowledgeable at that side. And, you know, I can still-- you know, it's not as if I'm completely, you know, not working with him. You know I get-- he's left the door open; if I ever need any advice, I can call him and, you know, I still have a very close relationship with him, so. But, you know, we can-- you know, it-- we are very lucky that we have access to-- to some of the best people in the world and-- and, you know, whatever area you need, so you are always going to get some good advice. -Yes, gentleman at the very back row, please. -Rory, what do you think about Abu Dhabi as a place, and has it been changed since last you've been here? And, where-- apart from golf, what else has attracted you to the city? -Yeah, you know, this is my fifth time here. And it's-- I mean you can definitely see it evolve every time you come back, with places like, you know, Yas Island and-- and Saadiyat. And, you know, at first I played Saadiyat a couple of years ago and, you know, was very impressed with it and actually went to the-- the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the-the end of last year, which was, you know, an amazing weekend. And, you know, it's a-- you know, it's still-- you know, the city, you can still see it's developing and, you know-- but it's-- it's definitely going to become one of the, you know, major attractions in the world in the years to come.

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