McIlroy ready for more attention

Rory McIlroy is expecting his impressive Open Championship debut to change his life - and that of aspiring golfers in his hometown in the North.

The 18-year-old finished five over for the tournament won by Ireland's Padraig Harrington at Carnoustie.

McIlroy's performance was good enough to win him the Silver Medal for top amateur.

His profile will have risen, but he claims he is ready for that, and looks at it as a good thing if it helps others in the Co Down town of Holywood to take up the game.

"I'll go up to Holywood Golf Club after this and see my mates and stuff and nothing will have changed," he said.

"But I think it's been a great performance at my first major, my first Open Championship.

"I'm sure I'll get more attention after this week and I'm sort of prepared for this, but it will be a bit of a change for me.

"I think by me playing some good golf the interest level in Holywood has risen a bit. It's only natural to see someone that you look up to and you try to copy things they do.

"I think Holywood has got a really good junior membership - there are 130 boys and 40 girls. It's great to see so many juniors playing."

McIlroy now leaves for a 10-day holiday in Dubai before returning to make plans for the Walker Cup and then turning professional in September.

But before that he can savour what he has done after a week that if not quite as good as Justin Rose's fourth-place finish as an amateur at the 1998 Open, still revealed to the world a talent to watch.

"It's been a draining week with all the attention, with the early starts and getting home late," he added.

"You have to hit a shot all the time. It's difficult to do that for 72 holes, mentally. But it's been great, I've really enjoyed it.

"It's been awesome, the crowds, the atmosphere and I've fed off that during the week.

"The ovation I got walking off the 18th was phenomenal. I'm probably going to remember that forever."