Masters champion Rory McIlroy told reporters his story ‘isn’t over’ ahead of the final men’s major of the year.
McIlroy, 36, is anticipated to mount a huge challenge for his second Open title at Royal Portrush.
The Northern Irishman attracted huge crowds at the Dunluce links on Monday morning for his first practice round despite taking to the course as early as 7am.
McIlroy, who arrived here after 1am and only got a few hours’ sleep, said he wanted to get 18 holes in as soon as possible because practice rounds in the majors have been taking their toll.
“The last couple of majors, at the PGA [Championship] and the US Open, the practice rounds take so long,” he said.
“I feel like there’s 50 people inside the ropes all the time. I feel like I just can’t get good work done, good preparation.
“I just wanted to get out early, sort of beat the rush, beat the crowd, and do my work with not a lot of people around.”
There is no doubt a part of his popularity is down to the fact he finally climbed his own personal Everest in April by winning The Masters.
McIlroy followed that career-defining performance at Augusta National with an underwhelming performance at the PGA Championship in May that was overshadowed by a non-conforming driver story.
The 2025 US Open saw the Ulsterman post a top 20 finish and but more questions were raised about his commitment and desire after he cut a frustrated figure and angry figure.
He admitted at Oakmont he was still annoyed with members of the golf media and conceded he was struggling to find motivation after finally getting his hands on the green jacket.
After last month’s Travelers Championship in Connecticut, he took a two-week break from the sport.
He spent that break moving his family into a new home in the uber-exclusive Wentworth estate in Berkshire.
McIlroy returned to action at last week’s Scottish Open and finished runner-up to Chris Gotterup.
He told reporters on Monday that break has done him the world of good and it rekindled his passion for the sport.
“The two big things left this year are this tournament and the Ryder Cup,” he said. “Those are the two massive things that are left on the golfing calendar.
“I think what I’ve found as well is after two weeks after and getting that excitement and that enthusiasm back, I sort of approached last week and this week as a 14-day chunk of getting some really good work in, especially last week.”
McIlroy is now a five-time major champion.
He has also featured in five winning European Ryder Cup teams.
It begs the question, is he Northern Ireland’s greatest ever sportsman?
“I’ll let other people make that determination,” he said.
“I try to go about my business. I try to give the best of myself every time I’m out there. It’s amounted to some pretty nice things so far.
“As I said at the start of this, I still feel like there’s a lot left in there. The story certainly isn’t over.”
|
Venue |
Finish |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
R4 |
Total |
Par |
|
Royal Troon 2024 |
M/C |
78 |
75 |
– |
– |
– |
M/C |
|
Royal Liverpool 2023 |
T6 |
71 |
70 |
69 |
68 |
278 |
-6 |
|
St Andrews 2022 |
3 |
66 |
68 |
66 |
70 |
270 |
-18 |
|
Royal St George’s 2021 |
T46 |
70 |
70 |
69 |
71 |
280 |
– |
|
Royal Portrush 2019 |
M/C |
79 |
65 |
– |
– |
– |
M/C |
|
Carnoustie 2018 |
T2 |
69 |
69 |
70 |
70 |
278 |
-6 |
|
Royal Birkdale 2017 |
T4 |
71 |
68 |
69 |
67 |
275 |
-5 |
|
Royal Troon 2016 |
T5 |
69 |
71 |
73 |
67 |
280 |
-4 |
|
Royal Liverpool 2014 |
1 |
66 |
66 |
68 |
71 |
271 |
-17 |
|
Muirfield 2013 |
M/C |
79 |
75 |
– |
– |
– |
M/C |
|
Royal Lytham & St Annes 2012 |
T60 |
67 |
75 |
73 |
73 |
288 |
8 |
|
Royal St George’s 2011 |
T25 |
71 |
69 |
74 |
73 |
287 |
7 |
|
St Andrews 2010 |
T3 |
63 |
80 |
69 |
68 |
280 |
-8 |
|
Turnberry 2009 |
T47 |
69 |
74 |
74 |
71 |
288 |
– |
|
Carnoustie 2007 |
42 |
68 |
76 |
73 |
72 |
289 |
– |
“I still feel a little surprised”
McIlroy missed the cut the last time The Open was played at Royal Portrush.
It was the first time he had played in front of his home fans in golf’s oldest major.
An erratic opening round of 79 was followed by a scintillating 65 but McIlroy came up one stroke short of making the cut amid raucous scenes.
“I was still a little surprised and a little taken aback, like geez, these people really want me to win,” McIlroy recalled of his support six years ago.
“I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself and not really wanting to let people down. I guess it’s just something I didn’t mentally prepare for that day or that week.
“But I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle.”
He added: “I talked about it at The Masters on that last day. The battle on that last day wasn’t with Augusta National. It wasn’t with Bryson. It wasn’t with Justin Rose. The battle that day was with myself.
“I think whenever you get put in environments like that, that’s basically what it is.”
“It’s you trying to overcome your mind and trying to give yourself that clarity to give yourself the best chance to put together a really good performance.”
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