By Joel Beall
Rory McIlroy’s 2017 was plagued by an equipment change and injury woes. However, it turns out that McIlroy’s health issues weren’t confined to his ribs.

Speaking with the Telegraph’s James Corrigan, the four-time major winner revealed that doctors discovered an irregularity with his heart.

“I have a flat T-wave and I’ll have to get an echo [cardiogram] on my heart every six months and an MRI scan every year,” McIlroy told Corrigan. “I suffered a really bad viral infection in China 18 months ago, and they told me that’s the reason that 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. Hey, I was planning on doing that anyway.”

The 28-year-old later took to Instagram to reassure fans of his health. “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.”

McIlroy also told Corrigan that his ribs, which he hurt during equipment testing at the end of 2016 and put him on the sideline for months last season, are fine.

“No problems whatsoever,” McIlroy said. “I had an MRI scan on my thoracic spine, and all was OK.”

McIlroy is finishing up a four-month break from competitive golf, the longest of his career. He will make his return at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week. He’s also expected to play in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and make his first career appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

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