• European Tour

Jaded McIlroy waiting on blood test results

Rory McIlroy won in Hong Kong © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Out of Bounds: Both at their best, McIlroy now too good for Tiger
  
• News: McIlroy more naturally gifted than Tiger - Donald
  
• News: Talent isn't everything, Donald warns McIlroy
  
• News: Donald confident of denying in-form McIlroy
  
• News: Recent victories have been Tiger-like - McIlroy
  
• Profile: Rory McIlroy

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is fighting the after-effects of a virus as he tries to pip Luke Donald to the Race to Dubai crown.

McIlroy, who won the Hong Kong Open last week, can claim the overall prize with his second victory in as many weeks at the season-ending Dubai World Championship - although Donald will still win his second money title of the year regardless if he finishes ninth or higher.

McIlroy's task will be made harder by a virus that has left him feeling low on energy - perhaps the result of a late-season schedule that has given him little chance for respite as he has flown all around the globe for events.

The 22-year-old is wating on the results of a blood test to ascertain the extent of the problem and what action needs to be taken.

"I won't get the results back until later on this week," McIlroy said. "I picked up a virus and my white blood cell count was very low, so the tests were to see if it's back up again."

McIlroy admitted to feeling jaded in Hong Kong - saying he required a five-kilometre run on the morning of the final round to get himself sufficiently pumped up - and will limit his activities this week at Jumeirah Golf Estates to focus all his attention on the four competitive rounds.

"I'm not energy-wise where I want to be, but I took a day off yesterday and took it easy," he added. "I'm going to play the pro-am today and practise and I'll probably take another day off tomorrow - maybe hit a few balls.

"I'll really try and conserve my energy and focus it all into the four tournament days.

"I'm not 100 per cent, but I'm still able to go out and play 18 holes and try and give it my all.

"I've still got a slim chance of trying to win the Race to Dubai. I'm really not counting on him [Donald] to do that [finish outside the top ten] because he's only finished outside the top ten about twice this year.

"It's going to be a tough ask, but I'll give my best and it would be great to finish the year on a high."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.