Rory is ready, Tiger returns and Noren misses out! Superstar Rory McIlroy has what can only be described as a very lucrative two weeks in the desert. Following on from Abu Dhabi, he lost out by one shot to Chinese sensation Li Haotong. Li did birdie 4 of the last five to edge it, but Rory's play must have been very satisfying considering the long layoff. He heads to America to prepare and set his sights on his holy grail, a first Masters title in April. Should the Ulsterman find anything of a putting touch by then, the last round may be a procession. His ball striking has improved, if there was much room for that. He will surely be favourite for the event so get on him now when there is a bit of value left. Another European making his mark in America is Swede Alex Noren, he is known for having heavily blistered hands from hitting so many balls. In fact he wears two gloves some days as his hands cut so badly at times. Noren lost out at Torrey Pines in Tigers big US comeback to Jason Day in a six hole sudden death playofff. Noren will definitely be on Captain Thomas Bjorn Ryder Cup radar and must surely debut in September. Tiger played well, however similar to previous years he hit it quite wide. Actually REALLY wide from the tee, but great recovery and a fairly steady putter saw him round in an under par total which he must of been happy with. If he drives like that for the rest of the year, even with his skills, I doubt he won't make many cuts. I'm sure it will improve but to win again, that is a whole different matter.
The greatest show on earth America has one of its biggest events of the sporting calendar this coming week, The Super Bowl. Holders New England take on Philadelphia with grillions of chicken wings, kegs of beer and of course expensive advertising slots playing second fiddle to the Waste Management Tour event in Phoenix. This is the event like no other with a stadium built like the colosseum that's has grown over the years around the par 3, 16th hole. It’s noisy beyond belief, who can forget Tiger’s hole in one on that hole?
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