Wiser McIlroy playing it cool

COOLER than the Pacific breeze that caressed the links yesterday, Rory McIlroy sounded like as mature as the 60-year-old man who’ll join him and teenager Ryo Ishikawa on the 10th tee at Pebble Beach today.

Relaxed after a refreshing night’s sleep in the Lodge, his room just a few yards from the first tee, the 21-year-old Irishman appears to have all the assets needed to win a major.

But while he’s excited about joining Japan’s “Bashful Prince” and eight-time major-winner Tom Watson for the first two rounds on America’s most iconic course and brimming with confidence following his stunning win at Quail Hollow five weeks ago, the youngster from Down is not putting himself under pressure to deliver on his massive promise this week.