Irish Open Diary: McIlroy thrilled to influence the next generation

"It makes me feel a bit old, and I've got the grey hairs in my chin to prove it."

Rory McIlroy putts on the 9th green. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

It was with some relief that Seamus Power departed Royal County Down on Friday evening with the prospect of two further rounds to play this weekend at the Amgen Irish Open. A second-round 69, albeit with two double bogeys on his card, was good enough to see the West Waterford golfer through to the sharp end of the event and gave Power the opportunity to crystalise the pressure home players feel to make cuts at their national opens.

"I always remember talking to Jay Haas who holds the record on the PGA Tour, he made 600 cuts and he was like ‘it never goes away’,” Power said of that gnawing pressure.