McIlroy expects better short game, putting after eye surgery

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy expects his short game and putting to be better this year after undergoing laser eye surgery during his two-month break from competitive golf.

Speaking ahead of his first tournament of 2016 at the Abu Dhabi Championship, McIlroy says "it's definitely made things just that little bit sharper, maybe within 50 meters or so."

The four-time major champion says "I feel like I've always been a decent green reader, but maybe not quite as good as I could be. So that was one of the reasons why I took this step."

McIlroy says the surgery hasn't made a huge difference to his long-range sight.

The Northern Irishman hasn't played competitively since winning the World Tour Championship in November in Dubai, clinching the Race to Dubai.