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Rory McIlroy is determined to ignore his off the course issues while playing next year. Brian Lawless

'I've got used to it' - McIlroy won't let upcoming court date impact on course performances

The world number one tees off at the Dubai World Tour Championship today.

WORLD NUMBER ONE Rory McIlroy is determined to complete a career Grand Slam next year despite a February court date with former management company Horizon.

McIlroy was speaking before the start of the Dubai World Tour Championship - days after winning the Race to Dubai while standing on the driving range โ€“ and insisted he was โ€œbetter at compartmentalising between stuff thatโ€™s happening off the course and then being able to focus on whatโ€™s going on on it.โ€

The Co. Down golfer said:

โ€œOf course Iโ€™m annoyed that itโ€™s still going on.  But again, it is what it is.

โ€œIโ€™ve been saying that a lot recently; it is what it is, I canโ€™t do anything about it.

โ€œWe tried our best a few weeks ago to come to some sort of resolution and it didnโ€™t work.

โ€œSo, yeah, itโ€™s not the best thing to be going through, but at the end of the day, it will be over and done with a good bit before I have to go down Magnolia Lane in April and thatโ€™s fine by me, as long as Iโ€™ve got a clear head going there, Iโ€™m happy with that.โ€

The 25-year old insisted heโ€™s better prepared to deal with such distractions, even joking, heโ€™d become โ€œused to itโ€ over the years.

โ€œ Iโ€™ve got used to it.  Thatโ€™s what it is.  Iโ€™m better at compartmentalising between stuff thatโ€™s happening off the course and then being able to focus on whatโ€™s going on on the course.

โ€œThat stuff, itโ€™s experience, and it gets ingrained in there.  I always try and learn from experiences, from mistakes and from success.  Life in general is a big learning curve.  I just try and learn from everything and move on.  I feel Iโ€™ve learnt a lot in that regard this year.โ€

In bullish mood regarding his on course form, anything less than a win this week and Major success next year will be a disappointment for McIlroy.

โ€œNext year, you know, high expectations obviously going into Augusta, wanting to try to complete the career Grand Slam.  Thereโ€™s a lot to play for but if Iโ€™m sitting down here this time next year and having not won a major for example, Iโ€™d be disappointed, yeah.โ€

โ€“ First published 07.59

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