Rory McIlroy shows his true colours at The Open with the most incredible verdict on Scottie Scheffler's brilliance
Rory McIlroy admits Scottie Scheffler's run to The Open could end up inevitable.
But, with a passionate crowd at his back as he dreams of an epic Claret Jug triumph on home soil, the World No.2 isn't giving it up.
McIlroy wants to at least ask Scheffler a question by making a flying Sunday start and trying to put some strain onto the American flyer.
The career Grand Slam star has made up a six-shot deficit in the past to win.
However, making up half-a-dozen on an in-form Scheffler feels a different challenge altogether.
Right now, the World No.1 is cruising and McIlroy knows that reeling him back would be up there with anything he's ever done.
One thing is for sure, he won't lack support. The Northern Irish icon is being pulled around Portrush on a wave of emotion and he's going to try and get them rocking again to maybe, just maybe, rock Scheffler onto his heels and halt his charge.
McIlroy said: 'He's playing like Scottie. I don't think it's a surprise. Everyone's seen the way he's played or plays over the last two or three years. He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes.
'He's turned himself into a really consistent putter as well, so there doesn't seem to be any weakness there.
'Whenever you're trying to chase down a guy like that, it's hard to do. He's incredibly impressive, Yeah, look, Scottie is, it's inevitable.
'It's going to be tough to catch him if he keeps playing the way he does. I've got more than half a chance. I've got a chance. I've come from a few shots behind before at big tournaments and was able to win. If I can get off to one of those hot starts again, maybe Scottie feels a little bit of that a couple of groups behind and you never know. See what happens.
'Scottie is the best player in the world right now. I think it's clear for everyone to see. He's just consistently so good each and every week he tees it up, so it's going to be a tall order to be able to catch him, but I'm going to look forward to the challenge.'
McIlroy has left nothing on the Dunluce in his quest to get this job done.
It's been a rollercoaster of epic highs, some bad moments and some things no-one has ever seen, such as the Saturday incident on the 11th when he hit a shot out of the rough and a second ball suddenly jumped out of the turf which had been embedded and leapt up to his waist.
He said: 'That is the most weird, ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Then my ball came out really weird and spinny. It's never happened to me before. It could never happen on any other course, but a links course as well, when the rough is all matted down. It was very strange.'
McIlroy dropped a shot there, yet the response was magnificent with an eagle-bomb which sent the place wild landed on the next hole, just as he had done with another raking putt on the very first green to get the atmosphere raucous and surge their belief.
He said: 'The eagle on 12 was one of the largest roars I've ever heard on a golf course. That was a really cool moment. To get those shots back straight away was nice and I felt like I played the last few holes really solid.
'It was an incredible atmosphere out there. I feel like I've at least given myself half a chance. Obviously like the dream start to be able to be three-under through four and have five and seven to play. To not birdie those was a little disappointing. The atmosphere has been electric. It was insane all day, but the noise after that putt went in was incredible.
'I've come here really just trying to embrace it. If I hadn't won a major this year, if I hadn't have won the Masters, I might have felt differently.
'It's almost a celebration of what I've been able to accomplish. I want to celebrate with them too. I'm having an incredible time. I'm really enjoying myself and I'm excited. I don't know how you can't draw energy after that.'
McIlroy's pre-match plan was simple as he said: 'Grab some dinner, try to sleep as much as I can. Don't have any rugby to distract me tomorrow morning. Watched New Zealand-France and the Lions game. I'll try to find something to watch.
'I started Oppenheimer last night. Try to get through another hour of it and maybe finish it in the morning.
'Apart from that, just keep my mind off of things. I always do better with distraction. So if I can just distract myself and get my mind on something else, that's always a good plan for me.'
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