McIlroy couldn't overcome injury

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. -- Rory McIlroy postponed his house-hunting trip to Florida. It was partly because he found no sense in making a whirlwind tour through the real estate market.

"I'm actually going to go to Cincinnati for a few days," said the U.S. Open champion from Northern Ireland, who will play the PGA Tour in 2012. "I hear it's nice there this time of year."

That was a wry reference to the women's tennis tour stop there, where Caroline Wozniacki will be. She and McIlroy reportedly are dating, though you didn't hear it from him.

What everyone did hear from him, after he shot 74 Sunday and finished 11 over par, is that he has some pain running into his right elbow from the tendon strain he suffered Thursday and that the injury just needs rest. "To be honest," he said, "I'm glad to be done. It was a struggle."

Big honor for Small

University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small was low club pro (12 over) for the second time in five years . . . Phil Mickelson finished at par, tied for 19th, and said, "I felt like I was one good round away -- 4 or 5 under par [on one of the] first three days -- of getting in it but just wasn't able to do it. I just really struggled making birdies here."