Rory McIlroy has arrived at Royal Portrush with a warning for the Open field that he is ready to win again.
After three underwhelming months following his Masters breakthrough, the world No 2 returned to form with a second-placed finish at the Scottish Open.
Having had only four hours of sleep after a late-night dash from Scotland for a 7am practise slot on the links, McIlroy said on Monday: ‘I’m excited with where my game is.
‘I think everyone could see over the last couple of months how I struggled. I’ve done something that I’ve told everyone that I wanted to do (by winning at Augusta), but I still feel like I have a lot more to give.
‘I probably just didn’t give myself enough time to let it all sink in. But that’s professional golf – they do a very good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel, and you feel like it’s hard to get off at times.
‘The fact that I’m here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream, I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way. I want to win this golf tournament and I feel like I’m very capable of doing that.’
McIlroy was also bullish about withstanding the pressure in Northern Ireland after admitting he crumbled on his way to a missed cut here in 2019.
He said: ‘I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on the Thursday and not being prepared for it or being ready for how I was going to feel.
‘I want to embrace everything that’s going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it. I think that’ll make for a better experience for everyone involved.’
McIlroy added: ‘When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably circled even more so than the Masters for different reasons.
‘It’s lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that’s happened this year. I’m excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here.’
