Rory McIlroy plays down heart health fears and insists he 'can't wait' to start season at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

 Former world No 1 Rory McIlroy has played down fears over his health after revealing he has a "slight heartbeat irregularity", insisting he is "fit and healthy" and ready to start his season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, presented by EGA, next week.

McIlroy, 28, missed a large portion of the 2017 season with a rib injury and as a result slipped from No 2 in the world rankings to No 11 and failed to win a title. The Northern Irishman will begin his 2018 season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, starting January 15, where he is a four-time runner-up.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, McIlroy said: "The rib's fine, no problems whatsoever - I had an MRI scan on my thoracic spin and all was OK. But I've got a bit of an irregularity with my heart that I have to keep on top of."I have a flat T-wave and I'll have to get an echo [cardiogram] on my heart every six months and MRI scan every year."

The revelation has, as McIlroy put it, caused a "big reaction" in the media as concerns surround his long-term future. However, the four-time major winner has since released a statement on Instagram downplaying any health fears.

"Yesterday, I did an interview with the Daily Telegraph where I spoke about a range of topics regarding the last three months of my life," McIlroy wrote.

"I touched upon a recent finding from a routine health and wellness check. Like anything, the deeper you dig the more likely you are to find something. It revealed I had a slight heartbeat irregularity called a flat or inverted T wave.

"It's really not that big of a deal and nothing to worry about, apart from getting an annual check up, like you should do anyway.

"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."