LIV AND LET FLY

Mcllroy says stepping away from golf politics gave him a clear head and helped secure career Grand Slam

- BY NEIL MCLEMAN

RORY MCILROY reckons a “clearer head" sparked by swapping golf politics for practice has been key to his personal happiness - and career Grand Slam glory.

The world No.2 will this week bid to crown a memorable year by retaining the DP World Tour Championship and winning a seventh Race to Dubai.

The Northern Irishman won the Masters in April, the Irish Open in a playoff come July and then led Europe to Ryder Cup triumph on American soil.

His season ends this week at Jumeirah Golf Estates and asked if this is the happiest he has been for a long time, he said: “Yeah, I think it is.”

Mcllroy had dubbed donning the Green Jacket in April as “climbing his Everest” as he pondered new goals after winning all four Majors.