London: Four-times major champion Rory McIlroy has taken to social media to downplay a report that he suffered a “heart scare” in 2016.
In an interview with British newspaper The Telegraph on Friday, the 28-year-old McIlroy revealed that he had contracted a virus in China that, according to tests, has affected his heart.
“I have this thickening of my left ventricle and there’s a bit of scar tissue. For now, I just need to stay on top of it and have to stay fit,” the Northern Irishman told the newspaper.
The response to the story prompted McIlroy to use his Instagram account to clarify that he was not unduly concerned.
“It’s really not that big a deal and nothing to worry about, apart from getting an annual check-up, like you should do anyway,” he wrote.
“I feel there’s been a big reaction to it in the media which there really shouldn’t be. I’m fit and healthy and can’t wait to get my 2018 season started in Abu Dhabi next week.”
He was referring to the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Championship, where he will begin a busy schedule in the build-up to April’s US Masters, the only major he needs to win to complete the career grand slam.
In Miami, McIlroy is selling his spacious Florida waterfront home for $12.9 million (Dh47.37 million), according to the PGA Tour.
The home in Palm Beach Gardens and an adjacent waterfront home site upon which to build on Old Gate Lane are available at a bargain price, according to Zillow, which estimates the property and home value at $13.375 million.
The 28-year-old from Northern Ireland, lacking only a victory at the Masters to complete a career Grand Slam, has bought the former home of South African four-time major winner Ernie Els at the nearby Bear’s Club.
That enables McIlroy to part with his prime property that features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a putting green. There’s a trophy room in the home, built in 2010 and bought by McIlroy in 2013, but none of his hardware comes with it.
The purchaser could get a golf prize from McIlroy, however, as the soda-vending machine he was given after winning the 2016 Tour Championship is featured in one of the rooms.
