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Globetrotting McIlroy raises burnout fears

Rory McIlroy has a hectic schedule for the rest of 2011 © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy's gruelling schedule to end the 2011 season has raised fears that the young Northern Irishman could suffer burnout.

McIlroy, who made a real breakthrough this year with his first major victory at the US Open, raised eyebrows when he disclosed his schedule for the remaining weeks leading up to Christmas. Following his second-place finish in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, McIlroy's winter diary will involve him racking up a huge number of air miles as he travels around the world to play golf.

"I'm flying to Korea [Monday] morning and playing the Korean Open, and the week after, I play an exhibition in China for seven days," McIlroy noted. "And I go straight from China to Bermuda for the Grand Slam of Golf. Then I'm only in Bermuda for three days. And then I'm in Istanbul for four days watching some tennis [with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki].

"And then I'm in Shanghai for two weeks for two tournaments, and then I've got two weeks off, which will be nice. Then I'll spend those in the Middle East or I'll spend them somewhere. Then I've got the World Cup of Golf in China again, Hong Kong Open, Dubai World Championship and the Thai Golf Championship.

"I have a nice run of events coming up."

Despite the fears over exhaustion quickly setting in, McIlroy has been backed to cope with the draining regime by his manager, Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler. Chandler believes the fact McIlroy has a number of days holiday included in that schedule, along with the fact he has not really played that much so far this year, means he is in a position to make the most of the various tournaments.

"No, there's no concern of Rory suffering burnout simply because he's not playing golf for the lengthy period he's going to be away from home," Chandler said. "He's purposely scheduled a fortnight's holiday halfway through the run of events and he's going to be running into the girlfriend a bit including being in Turkey for a few days watching the tennis.

"What Rory is undertaking is really no different to what happens throughout the year because in managing players like Lee [Westwood] and Rory they are getting invitations to play all over the place."

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