McIlroy and team hit GUI Academy

Rory McIlroy hits balls at the GUI National Academy at Carton House, just outside Dublin. Rory McIlroy (pictured above) was back in Ireland on Sunday for a quiet practice session at the Golfing Union of Ireland’s National Academy at Carton House.

The world No 2 turned up with what appears to be his new A Team - his father Gerry, coach Michael Bannon, caddie JP Fitzgerald and general go-to man Sean O’Flaherty.

The 24-year old, two-time major winner hit balls for more than two hours at the back end of the range, giving what Graeme McDowell once described as his trademark display of long game “flushery” to curious onlookers.

McIlroy, who is reported to be set to leave his agents at Horizon Sports Management to set up his own organisation, will be at Wentworth this week for the BMW PGA Championship.

He’s scheduled to tee it up in the Pro-Am on the West Course on Wednesday morning with current England rubgy union captain Chris Robshaw and former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss.

Paul McGinley has Jay Tabb, Steve Rider and Dan Walker while Graeme McDowell is set to partner DJ Chris Evans and others.