With his return to competition just days away, Rory McIlroy believes that the 2018 season may be the most action packed of his pro career.
The 28-year-old has not teed it up since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in early October, a hiatus he will end at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. It will be the start of a busy spring for the Ulsterman, who will also play next week in Dubai before a run of six PGA Tour events leading up to the Masters.
Speaking to the U.K.'s Telegraph, McIlroy confirmed that he will also make a return trip to the British Masters in October and plans to remain busy over the next 12 months.
“I might play more times this year than any before. I played 28 times in 2008 and I’m on track to beat that,” McIlroy said. “I could get to 30 (events), depending on where I’m placed in the Race to Dubai. But I’ll see.”
McIlroy’s ambitious plan comes in the wake of a frustrating 2017 campaign, when he injured his ribs in his first start and twice missed chunks of time in an effort to recover. He failed to win a worldwide event and finished the year ranked outside the top 10, both of which had not happened since 2008.
But having had more than three months to get his body and swing in shape, McIlroy is optimistic heading into the first of what he hopes will be eight starts in the 12 weeks before he drives down Magnolia Lane.
“I’ve worked hard on my short game and I’m probably feeling better with the putter than I ever have,” McIlroy said. “I’ve had a lot of time to concentrate on everything and it all feels very good and a long way down the road.”