Johannesburg - Fresh off his second place finish at the SA Open on Sunday, Rory McIlroy has been forced to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after tests revealed he has sustained a rib injury.
The Northern Irishman underwent extensive clinical examinations on Monday after picking up the injury in South Africa last week. McIlroy will now commence rehabilitation and will return to golf when he is fully recovered from the stress fracture.
He said: “It’s bitterly disappointing to have to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. I think everyone knows how much I love playing this tournament, which is one of the best on the European Tour thanks to the incredible support of HSBC and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
To be forced to miss this week through injury is really quite annoying to be perfectly honest, but I am sure the tournament will be a huge success and I hope everyone involved has a great week.
“In situations like this you simply have to listen to the experts and the team I have consulted have all advised me to rest until my rib has fully recovered.”