Rory McIlroy admits he needs to work 'pretty hard' as Shane Lowry signs off in style

Said the Open champion: 'I feel like I have that round in me. It was an easy 6-under today'

SMILES BETTER: Shane Lowry happy with his game en route to a final round 66 oN Sunday at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet.

Rory McIlroy admitted he needs to work "pretty hard" on his game after a disappointing performance in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

McIlroy followed an opening 72 with a promising 67 at Mount Juliet, but carded rounds of 73 and 74 over the weekend to finish two over par in a tie for 59th.

The four-time major winner will now head to the Renaissance Club for the Scottish Open before the final major of the year, the 149th Open Championship at Royal St George's, the following week.

"I certainly don't feel as good about where I'm at compared to where I was after the US Open," said McIlroy, who held a share of the lead in the final round at Torrey Pines before finishing in a tie for seventh.

"But I've got another week to get ready and prepare and I obviously want to play well next week as well and have a chance to win. There's nothing better than preparing for a major championship by getting into contention the week before.

"But I need to work pretty hard on my game the next few days before heading into the Scottish Open.

"I didn't drive the ball well at all. I didn't hit a fairway with my driver. The rest of the game actually feels OK, but when you're not putting the ball in the fairway it's hard to score.

"I need to hit the ball in play and I think it's very much against how I play. I might just need to throw it back a bit and hit more irons off tees and get the ball in play, because that's what's going to help me at least avoid the big numbers.

"In some ways it's nice going to two links courses the next two weeks because there isn't as much of an emphasis on hitting driver as a course like here, so sort of looking forward to that.

"I feel like I've got a pretty good two iron that I can hit a lot the next couple of weeks and at least get the ball in play, because I feel like when I get the ball in play, I can actually play from there."

In contrast to McIlroy, reigning Open champion Shane Lowry will head into his title defence on a high following a closing 66.

The reigning Open Champion, who will defend his title at Royal St Georges in a couple of weeks, made light of the wet weather collecting six birdies in total to finish on nine under par.

“I was bang on it this morning, trying to shoot as low as I could and play some good golf. That's where I feel my game is at today. Playing good golf, holed a few putts and a nice 66 on a Sunday to finish the week,” said Shane.

“Obviously I’m a little disappointing going away not having a better finish but quite a bit of confidence I can take from the round today.” 

It was the perfect sign-off for Shane who has opted not to play in next week’s Aberdeen Scottish Open. The 34-year-old from Clara will focus on getting himself in shape for a title defence away from the competitive arena.

He added: “That's probably why I've been so frustrated over the first few days because I feel like I have that round in me. It was an easy 6-under today. Nothing really special. It was kind of one of those days where it probably could have been better. Happy with a little bit of confidence taking my week off before Royal St. George's.

“I'm excited and looking forward to playing some links golf in Ireland here next week and looking forward to getting over to St. George's on Monday. The week, it will be nice, obviously I'm there to defend. I'm there to play good golf and I'm there to finish as high up as I can, and obviously everything that goes with defending an Open is going to be there, and it's going to be new for me so I'll have to learn quickly.

“I'm used to having that kind of label on my head and it's fine. I'll just go there and be myself and play my own game and hopefully it's good enough to have a chance at the weekend.”