Rory McIlroy says what can be ‘detrimental’ to his game ahead of the Irish Open

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Rory McIlroy will have mixed emotions ahead of the Irish Open at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy really wants to win the Irish Open on home soil, having won the competition at The K Club in Ireland in 2016.

But he also missed the cut at the last Irish Open at Royal County Down in 2015, as well as missing the cut at The Open in 2019 at Royal Portrush.

That was the Northern Irishman’s last competitive appearance on home soil, with McIlroy now eager to put that nightmare behind him.

McIlroy will ‘never forget’ the support he received despite missing that major cut five years ago, with similar support expected at Royal County Down this week.

Rory McIlroy says home fans can be detrimental to his game

The home fans have, however, caused quite a predicament for the Northern Irishman, who has aimed so hard to please them that is has often negatively affected his performance.

“I’ve had to learn over the years how to manage my week when I come home,” McIlroy told BBC Sport Northern Ireland

“I’m trying so hard to perform in front of the home fans but then if I push too hard it’s detrimental to my game.

“It’s about managing all those emotions and getting lost in my own little world and not trying to do anything I wouldn’t normally do.

“Just go out there and play the best golf that I can and not get too frustrated when things don’t go my way. If I can do that then I think I’ll be OK.”

Can Rory McIlroy find the right balance at the Irish Open?

There has been constant pressure on McIlroy to perform in front of his home fans from a very young age, given just how much he is adored in Northern Ireland.

But he has often found it difficult to deal with that tricky situation, with his golf often suffering on home soil as he aims to please those watching on.

McIlroy is, however, more than capable of dealing with big-pressure moments, having won four majors throughout his career.

READ MORE: Who is Rory McIlroy? A closer look at one of the greatest golfers of all time

The only issue may be that his last arrived a decade ago, with the pressure only going to increase as his drought continues.

It may not be a major, but the Irish Open represents another chance for McIlroy to gain some much-needed momentum ahead of an important stage of the season.