McIlroy confident of handling emotional British Open on home turf
Back then, the world number two tried to block out the noise surrounding the event's return after a 68-year absence to the links where he set the course record of 61 as a 16-year-old.
But McIlroy struggled to handle the passionate support he received from local fans as he missed the cut by a stroke.
"I think I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being ready for how I was going to feel," the 36-year-old told reporters on Monday.
"I was a little surprised and a little taken aback. I was like, 'These people really want me to win'. I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself and not really wanting to let people down.
"I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle.
"I think in '19 I probably tried to isolate and I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it's better for me because it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times."
The five-time major winner has spoken of struggling for motivation following the completion of his career Grand Slam with a dramatic victory at the Masters in April.
McIlroy became just the sixth man to win all four majors when he beat Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta.
After a disappointing spell following that memorable triumph, he is hopeful an encouraging joint-second place at the Scottish Open last week will be the springboard for a title charge at Royal Portrush.
"I'm certainly encouraged by how I've played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland," he said.
"I think the two weeks off after the Travelers (Championship) just to reset, to get over here, a bit of a change of scenery has been really nice.
"I'm excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week.
"I feel like I'm in a good spot and -- not that last week was a pure preparation week -- but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here."
© 2025 AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Three things we learned from the third England-India Test
Victory left England 2-1 up in a five-match series that is fast becoming a modern-day classic. Below AFP Sport looks at three key aspects from a gripping encounter in London: Archer shows England what they have been missing Many observers wondered if Jofra Archer would still be the same bowler who made such a thrilling start to his international career as the express quick prepared to end more than four years of injury-induced exile from Test cricket at Lord's. But a match haul of 5-107 was a reminder of his quality. More than his wickets, the fact the now 30-year-old fast bowler repeatedly topped speeds of 90 mph while maintaining his accuracy was a hugely encouraging sight for England, who would dearly love Archer to be the spearhead of their attack when they look to regain the Ashes in Australia later this year. Given his injury history, how Archer recovers from his efforts at Lord's will be key to his progress and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature in next week's fourth Test at Old Trafford. But there was no denying the impact he made at Lord's on the sixth anniversary of Archer bowling the Super Over that secured England's 2019 50-over World Cup final win over New Zealand. "Every time he gets announced on the tannoy that he's going to bowl, you just hear the ground erupt and when he turns it on, the feeling in the game just changes," said England captain Ben Stokes. "What an amazing effort from him to get through those overs. He got some crucial wickets for us and it's great to have him back." Milestone madness contributes to India's undoing KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were threatening to give India a substantial first-innings lead while compiling a superb partnership of 141. But with Rahul 98 not out approaching lunch on the third day, Pant ran himself out in what appeared to be an attempt to get his partner back on strike so he could reach his century before the interval. It was a brilliant piece of work by Stokes to remove Pant with a direct hit that ended the batsman's typically sparkling 74, but it was hard to imagine he would have risked a single had Rahul been further away from a hundred. As it was, experienced opener Rahul duly completed his second century in a Test at Lord's to secure another coveted place on the dressing room honours board. But India ended up only matching, not surpassing, England's first-innings 387 following a needlessly self-inflicted wound. Tempers flare A match marked by mutual accusations of time-wasting eventually saw India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj fined 15 percent of his match fee for his send-off to Ben Duckett after he dismissed the England opener on Sunday. Siraj was sanctioned for celebrating excessively at close proximity to Duckett after breaching a section of the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct relating to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match". Flashpoints are always a possibility given the sheer length of time involved in a Test-match day and this has generally been a good-natured series. But Nasser Hussain had no qualms about Siraj's behaviour, with the former England captain telling Sky Sports: "He is someone who you love to have in your team. "Because when Indian fans are desperate for their cricketers to show some passion and fight, no one does that better than Mohammed Siraj."
France 24
11 hours ago
- France 24
Lowry revitalised by break ahead of British Open
The 38-year-old Irishman opted not to take part in the Scottish Open last week and instead took the opportunity to casually play some of the best courses on offer in his country. Lowry played at Portmarnock, The Island, Baltray, Waterville, Old Head and Adare Manor, a revitalising experience ahead of this week's pressure-packed British Open. "It's been an amazing couple of weeks. I haven't been home to Ireland since Christmas, so it's nice to be back home and I feel a bit rejuvenated and ready to go again," he told reporters. "I played too much golf - nine of 11 weeks - leading into the US Open and that got the better of me. That's my own fault. I've had a couple of weeks to take a step back and I do feel ready. "I played well the last two days so that's not good. Sometimes when everything is going really well, I get complacent then I'm three-over through five and have a panic. "When things are not going well, I'm at my best. I just need to play badly for a few days and everything will be alright!" A huge mural commemorating Lowry's 2019 victory at Royal Portrush was unveiled a year ago on the side of a house just half a mile from the course. The modest Lowry, still searching for his second major title, joked he was pleased the house he is staying in this week was in the opposite direction so he won't have to drive past it every day. "When I won here in 2019 it was very special and it was an amazing day for the country and everyone around me, but it didn't change me as a person," he said. "When the mural was put on the wall I didn't think I was immortalised. I'm just myself, I'm just okay at golf and I've gotten to achieve what I did in the sport. © 2025 AFP
France 24
11 hours ago
- France 24
McIlroy confident of handling emotional British Open on home turf
It will be the second time that Northern Ireland's McIlroy has competed in his own country in the British Open after the tournament was staged at Royal Portrush in 2019. Back then, the world number two tried to block out the noise surrounding the event's return after a 68-year absence to the links where he set the course record of 61 as a 16-year-old. But McIlroy struggled to handle the passionate support he received from local fans as he missed the cut by a stroke. "I think I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being ready for how I was going to feel," the 36-year-old told reporters on Monday. "I was a little surprised and a little taken aback. I was like, 'These people really want me to win'. I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself and not really wanting to let people down. "I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle. "I think in '19 I probably tried to isolate and I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it's better for me because it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times." The five-time major winner has spoken of struggling for motivation following the completion of his career Grand Slam with a dramatic victory at the Masters in April. McIlroy became just the sixth man to win all four majors when he beat Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta. After a disappointing spell following that memorable triumph, he is hopeful an encouraging joint-second place at the Scottish Open last week will be the springboard for a title charge at Royal Portrush. "I'm certainly encouraged by how I've played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland," he said. "I think the two weeks off after the Travelers (Championship) just to reset, to get over here, a bit of a change of scenery has been really nice. "I'm excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. "I feel like I'm in a good spot and -- not that last week was a pure preparation week -- but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here." © 2025 AFP
