Rory McIlroy says where winning the Irish Open would rank on his list of career achievements

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Rory McIlroy has enjoyed another season with silverware, with two titles going his way in 2024 so far.

McIlroy feels he is in good form as he prepares to take on the Irish Open, which takes place in his home country of Northern Ireland.

He does, however, feel there is room for improvement, and with that in mind McIlroy plans to play fewer tournaments next season.

Royal County Down Golf Club hosts his next event on the DP World Tour event this week, in the same county that the Northern Irishman is from.

There will, therefore, be plenty of pressure on his shoulders to perform, but at the same time he will be the firm fan favourite on the course.

Rory McIlroy makes Irish Open claim

McIlroy won the Irish Open at The K Club in Kildare, Ireland, back in 2016, with the world number three now eager to repeat that success in Northern Ireland.

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

Discussing what it would mean to win the competition, he told UTV Live News: “From an outsider it probably wouldn’t be as meaningful as some of the other wins that I’ve had, but for me it would be up there with, you know, one of the biggest wins that I’ve had.”

Can Rory McIlroy clinch his third win of the year at the Irish Open?

Royal County Down is certain to test the field at the Irish Open this week, including McIlroy, despite the four-time major champion knowing the course well.

He is back playing in his home country for the first time since 2019, when McIlroy missed the cut at The Open Championship.

The 35-year-old will be desperate for history not to repeat itself this time around, but it certainly won’t be an easy task in making it beyond Friday.

Along with the challenging course, he is set to take on a strong field, with 2009 champion Shane Lowry among those eyeing glory.

Robert MacIntyre meanwhile is a man in form, with the Scot aiming to become the first player in history to win the Scottish Open and Irish Open in the same season.