World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has revealed that he will embrace a different approach to this weekend’s Open Championship and believes he is “very capable” of winning the tournament.
The 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 2019 where the Northern Irishman experienced agony when he shot a costly quadruple bogey eight at the start of the tournament on his way to failing to make the cut by a single shot.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the final major of the season, McIlroy stated it was “weird” to be returning to the course since his disastrous 2019 performance but remains “very excited for the week”.
“It doesn’t feel like six years has passed since 2019,” McIlroy said. “It’s amazing Royal Portrush has this opportunity to host again. Great to be back. I don’t spend a lot of time in these parts anymore with travel schedule, living abroad, so to be here and see a lot of familiar faces was really nice.”
When asked about what he remembers from 2019, he said: “I remember the ovation I got on the first tee on Thursday and not being prepared for how I was going to feel.
The golf on Thursday feels like a blur – I try to forget that part. I remember the run on Friday. I was making a charge and hit a 6-iron into the 14th and I remember the roar from the crowd.
It was dark and overcast and the one thing I remember is that shot and that roar. That was really special. I wish I had been here for two more days to get a bit more of that but hopefully I can change that this week.”
The Grand Slam winner has since learned his lessons from what happened previously after acknowledging he was “a little surprised and taken aback” by the expectations of the home crowd.
“That brought its own pressure internally – not wanting to let people down,” McIlroy said. “It’s something I didn’t mentally prepare for that day. I learned quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and the battle.”
On how he will handle the pressure this year, he said: “I’m going to embrace everything that comes my way this week and not try to hide away from it and that will make it a better experience for everyone involved.”