DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy says he's taking some advice from Tiger Woods on how to minimize distractions.

McIlroy acknowledges it's been a rough year — he's embroiled in court cases on both sides of the Atlantic. In the last 12 months, he has become tied up in legal wrangling with his former management company, Horizon Sports Management, and his former sponsor, Oakley.

He said Tuesday: "As a golfer, you want your mind as clear as possible, and it's hard for that to happen when you've got other things that are going on."

The Northern Irishman remains without a victory in 2013 as he returns to Dubai this week to defend his last title, the World Tour Championship. He has slipped from No. 1 in the rankings to No. 6.

McIlroy says he's learned from Woods that "sometimes you have to say 'no.'"


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