Rory McIlroy explains why he will take a three-month break from golf after the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

"I don't think I'm ever going to get a chance like this in my career again"

McIlroy is taking advantage of a rare opportunity for a break (Getty)

Rory McIlroy says he will have a three month break from golf at the end of this year in a bid to get fully fit for 2018.

The Northern Irishman has battled with a rib complaint during a year where he has failed to win any events, and now intends to take advantage of a rare chance to recuperate.

The 28-year-old says he will take part in a maximum of five more events before downing his golf clubs towards the end of the year to try and get back in the best shape possible for the new year.

McIlroy is ready to take a break after a winless year (Getty)

McIlroy aims to play all four of FedExCup play-off events and then the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the start of October before calling it a day for 2017.

It will be disappointing news for the European Tour with McIlroy missing the Race to Dubai in November but he claims he needs to take this opportunity for a break.

"To have three months I can focus on myself, my health, my game, and just improvement, I don't think I'm ever going to get a chance like this in my career again, where I get this opportunity to re-evaluate things, work on some stuff and just try and improve and get better," he said told reporters.

"I feel it's a tremendous opportunity to improve as a golfer and with my health and everything. I'm excited to play these next few weeks but I've already sat down with my team and we have a three-month plan going forward.

McIlroy says he can't miss "tremendous" opportunity to take a break (Getty)

"I'm getting a lot of testing and assessments done 19th and 20th October and then... we'll be focusing on getting me in [the] best possible shape with my body and game going into 2018."​

He added: "[I will] start to hit balls the end of November and then work on some technical stuff and when we get to January hit the ground running and hopefully have an injury free, stress free, very successful year."

Four-times major champion McIlroy has not won any of the four biggest tournaments since 2014.