Having left his new sponsor Nike and the banking giant HSBC as crimson-faced as his new driver, Rory McIlroy needs more competition and not a planned four week break, according to Padraig Harrington.
The Irishman, a three-time major winner, has played two events in the first three weeks of January, in stark contrast to previous years. While he is taking this week off – he will be playing host to his trainer Dave Aldred for two days at his Dublin home – the world No.50 will return to competition by adding a first appearance in next week's Phoenix Open.
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