RORY: NOW IS THE TIME TO BACK ME

RORY McILROY has told punters to back him to win the Open.

The Ulsterman’s odds have drifted out to 20-1 after he missed the cut in his last two events.

The world No.4 and 2014 winner – who tees off at 2.48pm – is now at the longest price at a Major since his first victory at the 2011 US Open.

“Good time to back me, I think,” McIlroy laughed. “20-1? If I was a betting company and I saw my form over the

past few weeks, you would say that’s probably a fair enough price. But, again, all it takes is one week for those odds to go back to 7-1, 8-1 at Quail Hollow for the US PGA next month.

“My game is all there. I’m in good spirits.”

The four-time Major winner has form for following slumps with hot streaks.

“I wish I was here being the No.1 in the world and won a couple more majors but I haven’t,” he added.

“I’m trying to figure out how I get back to that position where I was two and a half, three years ago. I’m working on it.

“Hopefully the start of that crest of a wave happens now.”