Rory McIlroy in dreamland as home Open at Royal Portrush comes with weight warning that could crush him
Revved-up Rory McIlroy reckons he's in dreamland as he guns for an epic home Open triumph.
But Northern Irish pal Graeme McDowell has warned the weight of expectation could again crush the local hero at Royal Portrush.
McIlroy is being treated like an idol and over 40,000 will at his back as he blasts off into round one on Thursday afternoon to kickstart the title bid.
The career Grand Slam hero is determined to double up after his glorious Masters triumph at Augusta and end the Major term the way it started.
McIlroy said: 'Being here is what dreams are made of. It's been an incredible year and I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and to have the chance to win another Major championship, another Claret Jug. I am really excited for the week. How good would it be to bookend the season. Win the first one and the last one. This is my first time back really after having done what I did in April. It is going to be an amazing experience.'
McIlroy has vowed to embrace and enjoy the tensions of the title chase in front of his adoring public, but the competitive juices will still flow as he added: 'I'm still the same fierce competitor and I still want to win these events.'
McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a play-off to finally get his Green Jacket and he says that, if he can't win it, he hopes the Englishman or one his fellow Euro heroes delivers.
He said: 'Honestly, with what Rosie and I went through at Augusta, how close he has been, I would love to see him get a second. He has won a Major, he has won an Olympic gold medal. But I just think that second Major would validate what a great career he has had. I think that would be a great storyline. One of the Euros, keep it this side of the Atlantic.'
It's McIlroy's second Open at Portrush and 2019 was a harrowing experience as he started with an out-of-bounds tee-shot for a first-hole eight and, despite a valiant Friday fightback, missed the cut. He said: 'Doesn't seem like six years ago. It has come around pretty quick. It is nice to have another opportunity here. I'll probably stand on the first tee on Thursday and think about the first shot I hit in 2019 and try not to do anything like that again!
'I think I have been through the experience once. And I have always played a little bit more at home since then as well. The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I've achieved in my career, but it's also an opportunity that I want to embrace with open arms.
'I've done everything I wanted to in the game, but at the same time I still want to do a lot more. I said after Augusta it would free me up. But I still have the same desire when I'm on the golf course.'
However, although McIlroy aims to ride the crest of the crowd wave, his ex-Ryder Cup sidekick McDowell is concerned.
He said: 'I think Rory's going to have too much emotion to deal with this week. I still hope he competes but it is going to be very difficult for him with the weight on his shoulders with all the emotion and the weight of a country on his back.'
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