McIlroy not fazed by drought

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Rory McIlroy hears the chatter.

McIlroy understands the questions about why, after winning four major championships in four years, starting with his U.S. Open win in 2011 and climaxed by his second PGA Championship victory in 2014, he’s yet to win another.

“The more success you have, the more pressure you put on yourself because of expectations,” McIlroy said Wednesday.

Asked if he feels — beginning with this week’s British Open at Carnoustie, which began Thursday — like he needs to “cement” his legacy with more major championships, McIlroy said: “At this point I’m not trying to cement anything. Obviously, I’ve had a decent career up until this point, and I’ve got a lot of time left to add to major tally or just tournaments won or whatever it is.

“Look, I was on a nice run there from 2011 to 2014. I haven’t won one since, but I’m trying. I’m trying my best every time I tee it up, and it just hasn’t happened. You know, I’ll give it a good go this week.”

Padraig Harrington, a fellow Irishman, called for some perspective when analyzing McIlroy, who has a win this year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

“Rory’s obviously played well this year and yet seems to be getting a lot of press saying he’s not playing so well,” Harrington said. “Clearly, his career is now solely based on how he does in the majors. There seems to be no other yardstick for Rory, and that’s probably the yardstick he uses himself.

“I think back in 2011 he had stolen a match [had the advantage] on the field when it came to driving the golf ball, which brought tremendous conf idence to his game and all the way through his game. I think at this stage players have caught up. There’s many players who drive the ball comparable and have certainly eaten into that advantage.”

This week is a special one for McIlroy, because the last time the Open was played at Carnoustie, in 2007, he won the silver medal as the low amateur.

“It doesn’t seem like 11 years ago that The Open was here last,” McIlroy said. “Hopefully, I can create some more good memories this week.”