McIlroy gives rib tick of approval after successful return
Former world number one Rory McIlroy said he has overcome his rib injury following an impressive return at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
McIlroy played his first tournament since mid-January as he carded a three-under-par 68 to be only one shot adrift after Thursday's first round.
The four-time major champion had been sidelined due to a hairline fracture but he overcame that and a stomach bug at Club de Golf Chapultepec to be within striking distance of six players tied for the lead.
"The rib is fine," said McIlroy at the co-sanctioned PGA and European Tour event. "I didn't feel it at all so it's all positive.
Look who just made eagle ... @McIlroyRory is now T4 and 2 back. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/MfRiWcm6ST
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 2, 2017
"How I've responded the last couple of weeks, ramping up the practice and then playing my first full competitive round here, I didn't feel it at all so all is positive in that regard.
"I probably could have played the Honda Classic last week but I wasn't going to know how my body was going to react if I played four days in a row.
"It would have been nice to sleep in my own bed and play the Honda, but I decided to give it another week.
"I'm taking next week off to see how everything reacts and responds so this was the logical place to come back. I stayed patient and the week longer will definitely pay off."