Rory McIlroy reveals reason for struggles after Masters win as he targets victory in The Open at Portrush
McIlroy believes the reason it took him so long to recapture his competitive vibe after his
Advertisement
1
Rory McIlroy is feeling more refreshed after his two-week golf break
Credit: Sportsfile
The USPGA and the US Open followed hard on the heels of Augusta, where
And he says it was only when he took two weeks off following last month's Travelers
Championship
that he was able to appreciate what he had achieved.
He explained: 'Yeah, I think everyone could see over the last couple of months how I struggled with resetting my goals, after I've done something that I've told everyone that I wanted to do.
'I probably just didn't give myself enough time to let it all sink in. But that's the nature of professional golf.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN 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.
'But it's been an amazing year. The fact that I'm here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream.
'Now I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way and enjoy the reaction of the fans and enjoy being in front of them and playing in front of them.
'But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I'm very capable of doing that.'
Advertisement
Most read in Golf
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
McIlroy proved he is not ready to simply bask in the glory of becoming only the sixth player ever to win all four Majors as he launched himself into his Open preparations yesterday.
He was still on the course at the Scottish Open until nearly 7pm on Sunday - and was back in action just 12 hours later to play his first practice round at Portrush.
Rory McIlroy explains haircut at Scottish Open
He added: 'We didn't get into the hotel here until around 1am, and I only had four hours
sleep
before it was time to get ready for my practice round. So I'm looking forward to taking a nap after this.
Advertisement
'The last couple of Majors, at the PGA and the US Open, the practice rounds took so long. And I feel like there are fifty people inside the ropes all the time. I feel like I just can't get good work done, good preparation.
'I didn't come up here ahead of time to try to get a couple of practice rounds in, and I've only played the two competitive rounds here at the 2019 Open since they made the changes to the course.
'So 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.
"That was the reason that I was out so early today. It worked out well. I feel like I got a productive day of work in.'
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy tells autograph hunter 'stop lying' as Open star shows true colours
Rory McIlroy thrilled young supporters at Royal Portrush, spending over 10 minutes signing autographs following his Open Championship practice round on Tuesday, and the five-time major champion put some professional autograph hunters in their place. McIlroy was once again the first to hit the course in his home country of Northern Ireland on Tuesday, teeing off at 7 a. m. local time for the second consecutive day. This time, he played alongside fellow Ulstermen Darren Clarke and Tom McKibbin, with a large crowd gathering to give the local favourites a warm welcome. However, it was McIlroy who stole the show. He received a massive cheer from the spectators around the 18th green as he sank a short-range putt. From there, he dropped a few practice balls for some extra reps before making time for his fans, reports the Mirror US. Firstly, he was presented with a portrait by gifted 15 year old artist Lucia Heaney, who won a local competition. On the opposite side of the green, a large crowd of fans gathered, with a chorus of children begging their hero to sign their hats, flags, head covers, trading cards, and more. McIlroy was incredibly generous with his time, moving up and down the line and doing everything he could to please as many people as possible. Of course, he was once that child, attending Open Championships and eagerly seeking autographs and memorabilia from his favourite stars. The Masters champion, Rory McIlroy, was visibly irritated when he noticed a couple of professional autograph hunters among the spectators, especially after he had obligingly signed items for them earlier on Monday. McIlroy, keen to give scores of kids an unforgettable experience, addressed the autograph seekers with a resolute message: "Guys, I've signed enough for you this week." Despite their protests of innocence, McIlroy wasn't having it and dismissed them with a repeated, "Yeah, you have", twice no less. He then put them firmly in their place, stating: "Stop lying. Get off the fence and let the kids come in." McIlroy was generous with his time, but he was clear that he wanted youngsters to be the beneficiaries (Image:) When they failed to heed his warning, McIlroy's security guard stepped up, threatening to eject them unless they left. This incident marks not the first time a notable sports figure has lost patience with professional signature collectors in the UK; Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his exasperation with such individuals who incessantly requested his autograph at matches earlier in January. Although McIlroy's calendar is dominated by U.S. duties, restricting his visits home, he conveyed his joy at being back on familiar turf during Tuesday's press briefing. Offering heartfelt remarks, he noted: "It means an awful lot. It's weird, it doesn't feel like six years have passed since 2019. I think it's amazing that Portrush has this opportunity so soon after the last Open to host again," highlighting his appreciation for the historic Irish course. "Just great to be back. I don't spend a lot of time in these parts anymore, just with travel schedule, living abroad, all that stuff. To be here, to see a lot of familiar faces, every hole on the course has a different team of marshals from different golf clubs, and just to see people that I've met throughout the years out there this morning was really nice. It's really nice to be back, and obviously very excited for the week."
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Reward on offer provides necessary motivation, not pressure, for Shels veteran Gannon
An hour up the road hosts an All-Ireland clash between Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry but Windsor Park stages the gateway to European riches for Linfield and Shelbourne. Only at full-time will Shels know if their glut of squandered chances at Tolka Park costs them the guarantee of three more rounds within UEFA's competition structures. Linfield boss David Healy seemed relieved coming away from the first leg hunting a single-goal deficit. The former Northern Ireland striker refused to countenance the phrase chase in the context of being at home for the second half of the Champions League tie. Both sides were probably glad when the draw pitted the respective title holders of the two leagues in the island of Ireland together but the evidence of the first leg posits the Reds as overwhelming favourites. That wasn't reflected on the scoreboard but with a carpet of a pitch for their attackers to gorge on and the 18,500-capacity venue, these days entitled the Clearer Twist National Stadium, expected to be no more than half full, they've reason to be confident. Whoever emerges through the tie – which allows for extra-time and penalties if needed – will be within one game of ensuring participation in the league phase of the Conference League. Neither club has passed that threshold but they each have a player returning from suspension who has. Chris Shields was part of the Dundalk team which made the 2011 Europa League group and his return will bolster the hosts' prospects. He was immersed in conversation at Tolka with his former Lilywhites teammate Seán Gannon. Both veterans were put up for pre-match media duties by their clubs and it's likely Gannon will sample his 58th European game, lurking to within five of Ronan Finn's record for a League of Ireland player. 'The rewards to players for getting through the tie are huge,' noted Gannon, who turned 34 last week. 'That's not pressure for us, only motivation. I've been lucky enough to have played in these games previously and every player wants to be part of the Champions League games. 'We're representing our league so it's a chance to showcase your talent and something to look back on.' Shelbourne's superior conditioning last week from being in-season won't be so decisive as Linfield are another week into their preparations for the traditional campaign kicking off next month. 'To be honest we could have played better,' said Shels boss Joey O'Brien, just three games into his permanent residency having stepped up to succeed his boss, Damien Duff. 'We were wasteful in possession, our touch in the final third wasn't as sharp and clean as what I'd have expected from the players. We've to tidy up on that but this is a completely different game. We were overall happy with the win but it's all to play for.' The prize awaiting them is a second-round tie next week against Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ and a spiking of their minimum €1m in earnings. Elimination of the supreme competition doesn't mean the end of their European adventure, only cascades them into a Conference League clash against the loser of Lithuanians Zalgiris or Hamrun Spartans of Malta. Healy has spoken calmly and confidently approaching the midway juncture of this tie, adamant his team can mark his milestone of 500 games at the helm with its high point. 'I've had the privilege of enjoying success,' he observed. 'We have won the league six times in nine seasons and I am coming up to 10 years here. "A second goal for Shels in the first leg would have made it really difficult but with the performance levels, the attitude, and most importantly speaking to the players after the game, and over the last few days, there is huge belief that we can build on that performance. "It would be brilliant if we did score in the first 10, 15 minutes and the tie is level but we don't need to. The most important thing is we build into the game. "I have no doubt, if and when we do take the lead, then the electricity and energy around this place becomes important as the players will be fuelled by the belief they can win the tie." No Claret Jug at stake but the rewards in this sport are about more than silverware.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Bryson DeChambeau focuses on links test over Rory McIlroy rivalry as he arrives in Portrush
The room expected a more aggressive energy field from Bryson DeChambeau in his first interview after arriving on Irish soil. His rivalry with Rory McIlroy has refused to die and recently he said he'd love nothing more than to beat him 'especially in front of his own crowd'. McIlroy mused this week on creativity versus power as the best way to get the ball around the links course at Royal Portrush, with those looking into McIlroy's mind reading it as DeChambeau's muscular game perhaps relying too heavily on science rather than the more nuanced 'artistry' required to win. While McIlroy won The Open in 2014 at Royal Liverpool, DeChambeau's best effort to win the oldest championship in the world was a T8 in 2022 at St Andrews. READ MORE Either way, for those hoping for a taste of golf as a blood sport two days before the first players tee off, DeChambeau was a let-down with his willing Californian smile and an open, shoot-the-breeze kind of charm. 'Great question,' he even quipped to one inquiry. 'Just have fun this week and be strategic. I'm trying to ride the wind,' he said. 'A heavy wind is a great way to describe it. It's thick.' There were no snide remarks or concealed digs, no reprisals or escalation of the rivalry. The drama of Portrush was what grabbed him. The LIV Tour player, one of 19 in The Open field, is not used to playing links golf and has been troubled by trying to develop a game that suits a punishing course where it is expected to blow. [ No flies on us as we look forward to new views of the Open Opens in new window ] Yesterday it was modest at 21km/h, although Met Office warned of potential disruption around the local area between 11am and 5pm. Play was halted twice due to a threat of lightning on Monday. 'You're feeling the wind, how much it's coming into you and if it's off the left or right a lot more than normal,' said DeChambeau. 'Okay, how do I feel? How do I turn this into the wind? If you're going to try to ride the wind one time, how do I control and make sure it doesn't go into a crazy place? Because once the ball goes into that wind, it's sayonara. That thing can go forever offline. It will turn east sometimes. 'You know, it's one of those situations where you're in the environment and you go, all right, this feels like a 15-mile-an-hour wind, and all of a sudden it plays like a 30-mile-an-hour wind, and you're like, what the heck?' Bryson DeChambeau during a press conference ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush. He plans to 'have fun this week and be strategic'. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA DeChambeau will open his championship with England's Justin Rose and Scotland's Bob MacIntyre. It is a fact of life on the LIV tour that the players do not have the opportunity to play on links courses and was an issue Joh Rahm brought up last year, bemoaning the fact that without playing on the coastal courses, their chances of winning an Open significantly decline. The 31-year-old also arrived at Portrush with a personality makeover since his last visit in 2019, when he missed the cut. His venture into 'fun' YouTube events and behind-the-scenes footage have softened the image to his 1.5 million subscribers of the beefcake who simply beats the bejaysus out of a golf ball. 'I think people see a different side of me on YouTube, where I can have fun, I can enjoy, I try to relate to others as much as I possibly can has been fun to show,' he said. 'For me, I always go back to what footprint can I leave now? I'm not going to be here forever. I'm not going to win every tournament. 'Yeah, am I going to get frustrated playing bad golf? Yeah. Am I going to want to still sign autographs? Yeah, because I care about the game.' But the golfer, who plays for a LIV team called Crushers, is far from retiring the hot-blooded image. Has no intention of going soft. 'I'll walk through the fire rather than run away from it,' he said. 'I'm still the fiery, want to go, competitive go-getter that I've always been.'
