Justin Rose: 'Pressure is off Rory McIlroy in Portrush after epic Masters win'

Rory McIlroy after winning the Masters. File picture: Ashley Landis/AP

Justin Rose, the man Rory McIlroy pipped to the Masters green jacket in April, believes that win has taken all the pressure off Northern Ireland’s favourite son ahead of this week’s Open Championship in Royal Portrush.

McIlroy claimed his first Masters title, and the career Grand Slam, in the most dramatic of circumstances and ultimately needed a playoff to get past his Ryder Cup teammate having built what appeared to be an unassailable lead during his regular round.