McIlroy has wind in his sails for British Open tilt

Rory McIlroy will head into this month’s British Open Championship with new-found confidence that he has the game to conquer windy links conditions.

McIlroy, who had more than his fair share of troubles at a blowy Royal St George’s in last year’s Open, came up short in his bid to win a maiden Irish Open yesterday, his disappointment compounded after a tie for 10th at Royal Portrush’s Dunluce links, where he set a course record of 61 seven years ago at the age of 16.

Yet with the third major of the year fast approaching at Royal Lytham & St Annes and an alarming period of poor form seemingly behind him, his play on the Antrim coast this past four days has been a positive experience.