Rory McIlroy is back home in Northern Ireland as the four-time major winner prepares for the Irish Open.
McIlroy has a PGA Tour versus LIV clash to worry about, but up first for the Northern Irishman is the DP World Tour’s Irish Open.
The Royal County Down Championship Course hosts the event this week, which was won by McIlroy back in 2016.
After ending his PGA Tour season in T9 at the Tour Championship earlier this month, McIlroy will now be looking to repeat his success from The K Club eight years ago.
It is, however, the first time he will play in Northern Ireland since The Open Championship in 2019, where he missed the cut.
Rory McIlroy looks back on missed cut at The Open in 2019
But despite his struggles at Royal Portrush, McIlroy was given a standing ovation by supporters as he approached the 18th green on the Friday.
Ahead of the Irish Open, the Northern Irishman has now shared his thoughts about playing back home again, and indeed his struggles at The Open five years ago.
“To be home home, and stay at my own house, and see my friends and all that, I’ve only been here for a day but it’s been great, and obviously really looking forward to the week,” McIlroy told UTV Live News.
“I love coming back and playing, even if it’s just with my mates and coming playing at RCD or playing at Portrush, to be able to play a tournament I didn’t do so well at last time, so trying to try to improve on that.
“I’ll never forget those couple of days in Portrush, especially that Friday and trying to make the cut and the support that I got. But yeah, covid happened, I wasn’t able to get home, it’ll be nice to rekindle that again I think.
“I always appreciate the unbelievable support that I get from home and everyone around here, but I haven’t played as well as I want to when I go come back and play these events at home, so hopefully this year that can change.”
Who will Rory McIlroy need to beat to win the Irish Open?
Fortunately the Irish fans were still given plenty to cheer about at Portrush, with Shane Lowry claiming a six-shot victory there for his first major win.
Lowry stormed to 15 under par at Royal Portrush, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood finishing in second place.
READ MORE: Who is Rory McIlroy? A closer look at one of the greatest golfers of all time
McIlroy now has the chance to put those bad memories behind him, with the four-time major winner certainly among the favourites to lift the trophy.
But also eyeing the prize will be Lowry, who became the first amateur winner of the competition with his victory in 2009.
And the Irishman is in fine form ahead of the event, with Lowry impressing with his putter throughout the 2024 PGA Tour season.
Robert MacIntyre meanwhile could also be in contention after his Canadian Open and Scottish Open wins this season.
Another recent PGA Tour champion in Aaron Rai could also cause McIlroy trouble, along with his Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
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