Season on the line for freefalling star McIlroy

The current Race to Dubai champion finds himself 62nd in this season’s rankings, with only the top 60 after next week’s Turkish Airlines Open qualifying for the season finale in Dubai.

Despite the worst year of his professional career, the Northern Irishman insists that after finishing 27th at last week’s BMW Masters his game is in the sort of shape where he is more likely to be contending for the title on Sunday, rather than struggling to qualify for Dubai.

“It’s a big week obviously – it’s sort of make or break,” said McIlroy. “If I don’t play well enough here, then there’s a good chance I won’t play in Dubai. But I think there’s a bigger chance of me winning this tournament than not playing in Dubai.

“I feel like I’m capable of winning this golf tournament and I feel like my game’s coming together nicely.

“To be down where I am obviously doesn’t feel too good and is a reflection of how my year has gone.

“The reality is I haven’t played well enough to be a factor.”