Rory McIlroy's elbow injury appears to be a 'chronic problem' for the golf star ahead of the Masters, it has been claimed.
The Northern Irishman will be hoping to secure the first green jacket of his career this month, having failed to win a major since 2014.
McIlroy, the world No 2, recently won the Players Championship as he continues to impress on the course.
It has not gone unnoticed that the golfer has been battling with an elbow injury, however, something that could impact his chances of glory at Augusta.
Rory McIlroy's elbow injury appears to be a 'chronic problem' for the golf star ahead of the Masters, it has been claimed
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Now, a leading golf strength and conditioning expert has given his take on the situation.
Rob Hobkinson, who works with Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, has expressed a belief that the problem is a 'chronic' one for McIlroy - and that surgery could potentially be required.
Speaking to Betway, he said: “Rory is super consistent with how he trains, and he and the people around him will have it all under control.
"It is more about understanding the tolerance of the problem. With any injury, there's a huge variance in symptoms. You may have noticed from time to time, Rory has some tape over the area in question.
“Therefore, this seems to be a chronic problem that is going through an acute period of irritability.
"It is very likely he is used to these exacerbations and understands how to manage it appropriately.
“These kinds of issues can in some cases be debilitating to the point where lifting anything up, your grip strength vanishes.
"But at the other end of the spectrum, you can play a full round of golf with no pain.
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Rory McIlroy hasn't won a major since 2014 as the Masters creeps closer
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“Remember that Rory has been playing great this year. He has won two great events.
"And typically with this type of problem, you have to strike a balance of work and rest depending on its severity.
"There were suggestions that he may have had a little bit of surgery but I don’t know. There may be some calcification in the tendon and that might need to be removed, but I haven't heard of any kind of surgical intervention.
“Sometimes people would opt for a corticosteroid injection around that area. That's always one of those latter stage options if it's really getting sore but that still only plays a small part in a typical treatment plan.
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"In professional sport 30 years ago, they'd be quicker to go to injection. We're more careful with that decision making process now.”
Hobkinson has also hailed McIlroy for the way he looks after himself, something that's contributed to the 35-year-old having the successful career he's had.
“Rory is clearly a great example of being super disciplined," he continued.
"When he goes into the gym, he does not waste time.
Rory McIlroy has been in fine form this year as he bids to end his wait for Masters glory
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"Given how busy he appears to be off the course, it is impressive how he manages his overall workload but still manages to win events.
“He’s a sportsman and a figurehead for the PGA Tour and a businessman and yet when he goes into the gym, it is as if that's all he is doing, and that is a super example.
“When Rory trains, it is with intensity and focus. It’s a shame aspiring tour golfers don’t get to see it.”
