Relaxed Rory McIlroy confident of special week at the K Club

Rory McIlroy will launch his 10th bid for Dubai Duty Free Irish Open success at the K Club today motivated not just to win his national open but also to land his first victory of the year and confound the critics who believe his game has been lacking this year.

World number three McIlroy has just two top-10 finishes in nine attempts at this tournament and while he may have nailed down what it takes to be the best tournament host he can be, cracking an Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on the course has so far proven elusive.

Three missed cuts in the most recent renewals represent a miserable return for this island’s finest player and four-time major winner in his home tournament, and while McIlroy got more deeply involved in it 12 months ago at Royal County Down, bringing the current title sponsor on board, his Rory Foundation gained a lot more from its hosting of the European Tour event for the first time than its founder did.