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RORY McIlroy faces one of the greatest mental tests of his career when The Open’s epic journey continues at Royal Portrush today.
His quality and talent is unquestionable but whether he can ride the wave of home emotion in front of the second biggest crowd in the history of the event — 237,750 are expected this week — remains the big question.
The great Dunluce Links reek of history but while McIlroy insists he’s in town to smell the roses and enjoy his week, how he deals with the pressure on his shoulders is key.
“I’m just treating this like any other Open Championship,” McIlroy insisted. “I’ve played well here for the last few years. I’ve played well on this golf course.
“So I’ve just got to go out and hit the shots and stay in the present. If Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm or World No.1 Brooks Koepka all capable of matching him.
“I think his game is exceptional this year,” Harrington said when asked about McIlroy’s form. “It’s just become tougher to win a major. As good as he is, he has to look over his shoulder and worry about how DJ plays, how Brooks plays.
“Back in 2011, there wasn’t anything like that
— he wasn’t scared of anybody.
“There’s too many good players up there now. I think home pressure, I don’t know if that’s a good thing but I do think that this week suits a good driver of the ball and he’s a great driver of the ball.
“Guys who are good drivers will love this track. This course suits him.”
Front foot: Roryonhis final practice
round yesterday
GRAEME McDowell has admitted he will probably get emotional when he tees off in the first round of his home Open at Royal Portrush.
McDowell, who grew up playing at Rathmore next door, tees off alongside Henrik Stenson and Xander Schauffele at 9.14am.
Having gone through the fear of potentially not playing in the first Open to be held here in 68 years, then the joy of qualifying via the Canadian Open, it figures to be a big day for G-Mac, who is certain to attract a huge following all week.
“I was on the first tee on Tuesday and it felt like there were about 10,000 people there, it was an amazing atmosphere,” said McDowell (left).
“I was actually a little nervous for a Tuesday, I couldn’t believe it really.
“I figure I’m going to feel a little fired up on the first tee.
“It’s been incredible. I feel like people are just genuinely fired up and excited, it’s such a big thing for this part of the world.”