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McIlroy blames Turkey stuffing on Ryder Cup blues

Rory McIlroy was not at his best this week in Turkey © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy has admitted Ryder Cup blues could be to blame for his sub-standard showing at the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final.

McIlroy's performances will have been one of the biggest disappointments for the organisers of the lucrative tournament in Belek, as he lost all three of his group stage matches to crash out of the event at the earliest opportunity.

And the Northern Irishman, who has spent much of his free time during the week with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, believes a hangover from Medinah has adversely affected his golf this week.

"I just came here because I have never played in Turkey and there's a lot of good players here, and I thought it would be a fun week and it has been," McIlroy said. "I've treated this week as: 'It's great to come here, nice weather, play a bit of golf, I get to spend some time with Caroline'. I viewed it as a week like that. I didn't touch a club until the first day.

"I probably lacked a little bit of motivation. It is Ryder Cup blues. I have basically drawn a line after the Ryder Cup. It has been a great season and I am ready to be done.

"I have another week off next week and get myself up for the last push for the Race to Dubai."

McIlroy lost to Tiger Woods on Thursday morning, in an eagerly-anticipated clash that ultimately proved to be somewhat anti-climatic. McIlroy put no stock in his defeat, saying only coming head-to-head with Woods at the business end of a strokeplay tournament would produce a noteworthy battle.

"I had resigned myself before we started to have this afternoon on the beach," the Northern Irishman said. "I would love to have some meaningful battles with him coming down the stretch in tournaments."

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