McIlroy content with Open build up

For fans of Rory McIlroy, it was difficult to know what to make of the mixed messages coming from the world number two during his unfortunately brief appearance at the Irish Open.

First came the confession that he was feeling “a little lost” after an opening round of 74 that had him unsure of whether errant drives would be sprayed to the right or left of Carton House’s lush fairways.