Rory McIlroy wants to treat this week just like any other British Open.
He also knows better.
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Rory McIlroy wants to treat this week just like any other British Open.
He also says it will be a mistake to ignore all that's going on around him. His mantra is to look around and soak it all in, recognize how big this is for his country and to remind himself that the British Open at Royal Portrush is bigger than him.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell smiles on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)
Jordan Spieth of the United States gets ready to practice at the driving range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Italy's Francesco Molinari prepares to take a shot on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Dustin Johnson of the United States takes off rain coat as he practices on the driving range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)
The 148th Open is the first in his native Northern Ireland in 68 years, and McIlroy is the betting favorite to capture the claret jug and end his five-year drought in the majors. He has played only one practice round this week on a Royal Portrush links he knows well. He says he doesn't consider himself the center of attention.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy prepares to hit a shot on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)
He also says it will be a mistake to ignore all that's going on around him. His mantra is to look around and soak it all in, recognize how big this is for his country and to remind himself that the British Open at Royal Portrush is bigger than him.
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Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy smiles as he talks to his team on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell smiles on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)
Jordan Spieth of the United States gets ready to practice at the driving range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Italy's Francesco Molinari prepares to take a shot on the practice range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Dustin Johnson of the United States takes off rain coat as he practices on the driving range ahead of the start of the British Open golf championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The British Open starts Thursday. (AP PhotoJon Super)