McIlroy’s mind may still be at Congressional, fears G-Mac
Colin Montgomerie said at the weekend he thought the 22-year-old will tee off at Sandwich “mentally tired” because everybody will be wanting to congratulate him on his US Open performance.
McIlroy decided not to play an event between the two majors, but fellow Irishman McDowell, who did appear in the Scottish Open following his Pebble Beach victory last year, said yesterday: “It’s going to be very hard for Rory when he turns up to be concentrating on the (British) Open championship.
“He’ll still be living three or four weeks ago at Congressional.”
From his own experience, though, McDowell is not sure that playing at Castle Stuart this week would have helped.
“I certainly wasn’t ready and if I had to do it all over again perhaps I wouldn’t play,” he admitted.
“I think I remember talking about champagne swings this time last year. A lot has been made of Rory taking three weeks off, but there’s probably two sides to the argument.
“Being at home he’s had two weeks to get the celebrating out of the system and I know he’s had a pretty good time.
“I’m sure this week will be sort of getting the business head screwed back on again. I know he’s going to spend a couple of days at St George’s and I think he’ll be reasonably ready to go.”
Meanwhile, with his kids away looking for the Loch Ness Monster yesterday Phil Mickelson turned his own thoughts to something that has proved just as elusive — a victory in Britain.
But the 41-year-old, who has managed only one top-10 finish in 17 appearances at the British Open, believes his chances have been hugely boosted this year.
Not by Tiger Woods pulling out through injury, but by the switch of the Barclays Scottish Open from Loch Lomond to the new links at Castle Stuart near Inverness.
“I think the move is going to be a huge plus,” said Mickelson. “I expect the winner of next week’s (British) Open will be in the field this week.”
The field, however, does not include new US Open champion McIlroy, so when told that he had just ruled him out of contention for Sandwich Mickelson had to think quickly of a way out.
“You have a remarkable way of putting words in our mouth,” he told the questioner. “I did not say that and, of course, I must have thought that he was in the field here.”
The three-time Masters champion was also asked if he was frustrated or embarrassed by his British Open record.
“I wouldn’t say either. I look at it more as a challenge. I enjoy the challenge of links golf.
“I’ve not performed to the level I have week-in and week-out in the States and I want to change that. I’m planning on doing that!
* Neil Ó Briain from Royal Dublin shot a four-under-par 68 to take a share of the lead heading into round two of the Audi Cork Irish Masters at Fota Island yesterday.
Ó Briain will be the leading Irishman at Fota going into the second of three rounds in the PGA EuroPro Tour event after an opening round on the Belvelly course that included six birdies and a double-bogey seven at the 18th, his ninth hole of the day.
Drawn in one of the final groups to tee off yesterday, Ó Briain had to weather two heavy mid-afternoon downpours before finishing his round in bright sunshine on a day when a stiff breeze kept players in check throughout, particularly on the front nine.
Ó Briain shares the 18-hole lead with English duo Jamie Abbott and Ian Ridgway, Scotland’s Shaun McAllister and South Africa’s Darryn Lloyd but the quintet have just a one-stroke lead over three players, including Adare’s Graeme Dunlea, who was out early and carded a three-under 69 in persistent rain.
Three Irishman hold a 14-way share of ninth place on two under par with Killarney’s Daniel Sugrue posting an early 70 that featured an eagle three at the 10th.
He was joined later by two Team Ireland grant holders, Muskerry’s Niall Turner, taking a break from the Asian Tour to play an event in his home town, and the Curragh’s Paul O’Hanlon.
