Rory McIlroy insists he is better prepared to handle the emotional weight of a home Open as he returns to Royal Portrush this week for the 152nd Open Championship.
The Northern Irishman, now 36, will tee it up in front of partisan galleries on the Dunluce Links for the second time in his career. The last time The Open came to Portrush in 2019 – for the first time in 68 years – McIlroy famously missed the cut after an emotional rollercoaster of a Thursday that began with a nervy opening tee shot and a quadruple-bogey eight.
This time, the five-time Major winner says he plans to embrace the support rather than shield himself from it.
“I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being ready for how I was going to feel,” McIlroy said on Monday. “I was surprised and a little taken aback. I was like, ‘These people really want me to win.’ That brought its own pressure – mostly internal, not wanting to let people down.
“One of my challenges this week is controlling myself and that internal battle. In 2019, I probably tried to isolate. I think it’s better for everyone – and for me – if I embrace it.”
McIlroy returns to the site of his childhood course-record 61 with renewed optimism after finishing in a share of second at last week’s Scottish Open. The result marked a return to form following a quiet stretch post-Masters, where he completed the career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion by defeating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National.
It was a career-defining moment that, by McIlroy’s own admission, left him searching for new motivation in the weeks that followed.
“I’m certainly encouraged by how I’ve played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland,” he said. “The two weeks off after the Travelers Championship helped reset me. Getting over here, the change of scenery has been really nice.
“I’m excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. Not that it was pure preparation, but it’s definitely put me in a good spot heading into here.”
McIlroy is seeking his second Claret Jug – a decade after his first in 2014 at Royal Liverpool.
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