McIlroy has wind in his sails for British Open tilt
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.
“Two weeks off to get ready for Lytham,” McIlroy said following a closing 67, his best round of the week. “My game from tee to green was very good this week. I gave myself a lot of chances. I left a few shots on the greens but apart from that I’m very happy with how the week went.”
McIlroy has been working with teacher Michael Bannon since the week of his disappointing US Open title defence last month in a bid to rediscover the fluency in his swing.
“My ball striking has really improved the last two weeks and I’ve done a lot of great work on that. It’s been nice to be able to control my ball a little bit more in the wind.”
Starting the final round six shots back of eventual winner Jamie Donaldson, McIlroy needed another special round to make an impact on the leader board and he accepted when his putt for eagle at the par-five 10th came up fractionally short, his chance of victory faded.
“The putt on 10 and then I hit it close on 11 and that just slipped by on me; those two putts could have really got me going and turned my round into something special.
Nor was the Holywood golfer overly concerned about leaving several putts out there on the slower greens he struggled to get to grips with.
“I didn’t hole as many putts as I would have liked but I hit a lot of putts where I wanted to and either they just didn’t break or I just didn’t have the right speed. I struggled with the pace of the greens all week but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”
With two weeks off before the Open, McIlroy will use his free time to visit Lytham ahead of the Championship week and overall he said he was satisfied with his preparations.
“There’s a lot of tee shots you’ve got to hit left to right at Lytham, so just work on the fade and make sure that’s in good order. Apart from that, just make sure the rest of the game’s sharp and ready to go.”
Finishing a shot behind McIlroy on his hometown course, Graeme McDowell looked forward to more Irish Opens at Royal Portrush and advocated an even quicker return of the tournament, which will be played next year at Carton House, to Ulster.
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t be alternating north and south year by year. I think we have proven that Royal Portrush is a very successful venue to be staging this great event at.
“Carton House next year, I love that as a venue. And take nothing from (2010-11 venue) Killarney, that was a fantastic venue as well. I think this course should be played on a links-style golf course like Portrush, like Carton House, like Portmarnock; let’s bring it up here to Co Down perhaps some year.
“I think it should be rotating around the best links courses in Ireland. We have got plenty to choose from; let’s get that north and south of the border vibe going year by year. Portrush, Royal Co Down, Portstewart, Ballyliffin, there are so many great courses up here on the north coast.
“We should be able to come up with something. It is up to the European Tour and everyone involved in Irish golf.”
McIlroy agreed with McDowell’s push for north-south rotation.
“That would be fantastic. If we could do that every time, play one up here then one down there I think everyone would enjoy that.”
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