• European Tour

McIlroy admits to feeling frustrated

ESPN staff
January 25, 2010
McIlroy's only tour win was in Dubai in 2009 © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy has confessed that he feels frustrated due to his inability to turn promising situations into European Tour triumphs. The 20-year-old was speaking after he finished third at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, two shots behind the winner Martin Kaymer.

McIlroy has only claimed one Tour win, 2009's Dubai Desert Classic, although he played to a high enough standard to be ranked second in the Race to Dubai at the end of last season.

"It's nice to finish up there all the time," he said. "But it would be nice to convert some of the top threes into wins as it's getting a little frustrating. Four rounds in the 60s [in Abu Dhabi] was a great way to start the year last week and that's the way I have to look at it.

"It would have been great to win, but it's another week I can build on and it gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can score and have the capability to shoot low numbers when I need to."

He is next in action in the Dubai tournament he won last year, where he will be hoping that history repeats. Meanwhile, Ian Poulter - who finished second in Abu Dhabi - and Kaymer have both moved above McIlroy into the top ten of the world rankings, with the Irish player sinking to 11th.

Poulter claimed that the presence of himself and Kaymer high in the standings shows that Europe is catching up with America. "Look at the world rankings. The Europeans are pushing a lot of weight. It bodes well for the Ryder Cup. If some of the rookies can make the side and give Colin Montgomerie less of a headache, it will be a fun October."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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