World No1 Rory McIlroy dismissed fears that he may be struggling with his putter as he prepares for this weekend’s Dubai Desert Classic.
Competing in the Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links, the Ulsterman three-putted for a bogey on the 18th hole but insisted there were no issues.
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At the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, where McIlroy hit his first hole-in-one in competition play on Friday, the Northern Irishman hit 35 out of 36 greens in regulation on the weekend, but could only post a seven-under par score – six of those eight birdies coming in the last 11 holes after his caddie JP Fitzgerald started reading putts for him.
But McIlroy, who drained a monstrous 35-footer for birdie on the 15th hole, said ahead of the Dubai tournament: “No. I think there are no issues with the putter.
“In Abu Dhabi, I always struggled reading the greens, and I thought I did putt very well over the last 11-12 holes in that tournament.
“I have done some work after that and I am very happy where my game is. I am looking forward to playing in Dubai, where I have played the golf course almost every year since 2006 and I am very comfortable there.
“You need to hit the ball predominantly right to left off the tee, so I am going to practice that a little bit.
“I have practiced, done some drills and the stuff that I usually do. I am starting my putts on the right line, which is half the battle done. And I am very comfortable on the Emirates greens.
“I would love to win in Dubai, it would be nice to go to the States with a win. I came close in Abu Dhabi. I really would be happy with another good performance.”