McIlroy targets Malaysia win

By Brian Keogh

Rory McIlroy hopes to cruise to his first European Tour win in Malaysia after taking a month's holiday.

And the Holywood star, 18, should be bursting with energy when he tees it up at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club from March 6 - 9.

Under orders from manager Chubby Chandler, McIlroy is taking February off as he paces himself in his rookie season.

His plans include a Caribbean cruise with his girlfriend Holly and her parents before he returns to action in the €1.35 million Maybank Malaysian Open.

McIlroy said: "I am looking forward to my debut at the Maybank Malaysian Open, and I hope to get my first professional win under my belt soon and break into the world's top 100 so I will be giving my all in this tournament.

ISM boss Chandler said: "Rory was playing only a dozen four-rounders a year as an amateur. Now that's he's turned pro it's going to be more than twice that, so he has to make sure he doesn't overdo it."

McIlroy has played three events this year, finishing 11th in Abu Dhabi and 33rd in Qatar before missing the cut in Dubai last week.