McIlroy embracing return to Northern Ireland for the Open
And as the Northern Irishman returns to Royal Portrush and The Open Championship this week, he's a changed man, too.
He's ready to accept and embrace the pressure that comes from being the favorite son, something that he admitted got the best of him the last time the Open was played at Royal Portrush six years ago.
"It's a major championship, everything that comes along with it, and I just think that that feeling, the walk to the first tee and then that ovation, I was still a little surprised and a little taken aback, like geez, these people really want me to win," he told reporters Monday about the experience in 2019.
"I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself and not really wanting to let people down. I guess it's just something I didn't mentally prepare for that day or that week. But I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle."
He missed the cut that week.
Now, at age 36 and with the Masters championship to his name this year, he is ready to take it all in.
"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 I can — it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times," he said. "But it's also nice for the person that is seeing you for the first time in a few years. It just makes for a better interaction and not trying to hide away from it.
"I think it's more of an embrace everything that's going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it, and I think that'll make for a better experience for everyone involved."
He is coming off a good experience, shooting four rounds in the 60s and finishing tied for second at the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday.
"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 just to reset, to get over here, a bit of a change of scenery has been really nice.
"When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably, I don't know, circled, even more so than the Masters for different reasons. It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year.
"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 had — not that last week was a pure preparation week, but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here."
With his Masters victory this year, McIlroy owns a career Grand Slam. He won The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
And he certainly would like to add the 2025 championship to his collection. Especially at Royal Portrush.
"It doesn't feel like six years has passed since 2019. I think it's amazing that Portrush has this opportunity so soon after the last Open to host again," he said.
"Just great to be back. I don't spend a lot of time in these parts anymore just with travel schedule, living abroad, all that stuff. To be here, to see a lot of familiar faces, even some of the — every hole on the course has a different team of marshals from different golf clubs, and just to see people that I've met throughout the years out there this morning was really nice.
"It's really nice to be back, and obviously very excited for the week."
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