McIlroy: I am so excited
Rory McIlroy is chomping at the bit to get out on his home course at Royal County Down for the Irish Open this week.
The Northern Irishman is eager to make amends for his rather poor showing at the BMW Championship, where a second round meltdown lead to him having the weekend off, and he is the favourite in the betting odds to take the win.
Unfortunately, McIlroy has not had the best results at the Irish Open in recent times, missing the cut in the 2013 and 2014 events. Nevertheless, the star-studded line-up has attracted sell-out crowds for the weekend, with over 80 000 fans expected.
“I’m so excited for this tournament,” revealed the 26-year-old on europeantour.com.
“Obviously the Irish Open is a tournament that’s close to my heart. Now that I’m involved with my foundation hosting the event, and with the title sponsors Dubai Duty Free and all the players coming to play Royal County Down, it’s going to be a great week and I just hope I can put on a good performance for all the fans back home. I haven’t been as excited for a golf tournament this year, apart from the Masters for obvious reasons.
“Royal County Down is probably rated as one of the top five golf courses in the world and with all the players – Rickie Fowler coming off the back of his win at the Players, Sergio Garcia who was in that play-off, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry, myself and so many other good players coming – it’ll be great.
“I haven’t really played well in the Irish Open and that’s something that hasn’t sat well with me for a few years. I think it’s to do with maybe trying to hard when you get back home and you maybe push yourself too much. I’m just going to try and enjoy myself this year and relish the opportunity to play at home. It would be great to win obviously and I’ll be trying my best out there.”
With so many big names in attendance, there are a number of attractive betting options on offer.
Latest
-
NewsBilly Horschel accuses LIV Golf players of being ‘hypocrites and liars’
Horschel made an impassioned defence of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour ahead of the co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open.
-
European TourIan Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
NewsGraeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA TourJT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
NewsPaul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European TourAdrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European TourShane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European TourKeith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA TourJT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.