Rory set for upswing in fortunes

But Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley believe the world No. 2 may have to accept his infuriating inconsistency as part of his golfing DNA and embrace his “erratic genius” as he seeks a confidence -boosting return to form in the Irish Open at Carton House this week.

The 24-year old Holywood star has had a nightmare start to the season since he signed his estimated $200m deal with Nike in January.

Quite apart from losing to pal Shane Lowry in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play, he stormed off the course after completing just 26 holes in the Honda Classic, lost his world No. 1 ranking to Tiger Woods and then lost his temper, mangling a nine-iron to a fit of pique at Merion in his last outing less than a fortnight ago.