Successful Open at St Andrews is Holy Grail of golf, says Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy believes profitable an Open Championship at St Andrews is golf’s model of the Holy Grail as he bids to finish his eight-year main drought.

McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug in 2014 and received his fourth main title within the US PGA a month later, however has not received one of many recreation’s largest titles since.

Augusta Nationwide co-founder and three-time Open champion Bobby Jones famously mentioned {that a} participant’s profession wouldn’t be full with out lifting the Claret Jug on the Outdated Course.

And whereas McIlroy shouldn’t be certain that’s strictly true, the world quantity two is effectively conscious of the importance of profitable the oldest main title on the House of Golf.

“I don’t know if a golfer’s profession isn’t full when you don’t, however I feel it’s the Holy Grail of our sport,” McIlroy mentioned.

“Not lots of people are going to get that chance to attain that, however that’s what profitable an Open at St Andrews is. It’s one of many highest achievements you could have in golf.

“There’s plenty of nice gamers which have received Opens and possibly not received Opens at St Andrews, so I feel it’s unfair to say {that a} golfer’s profession isn’t full with out that.

“Nevertheless it’s actually up there with one of many best issues you are able to do in our recreation.”

McIlroy, who admits he would like to win each right here this week and on the Masters to finish a profession grand slam, claimed the Claret Jug in 2014 in the past however an ankle damage suffered enjoying soccer meant he was unable to defend his Open title at St Andrews the next yr.

Nevertheless, he did end third on the similar venue in 2010 after carding a record-equalling opening 63 adopted by a second spherical of 80 in horrible circumstances.

“That is form of a very good lesson in human behaviour, however the one factor I bear in mind in regards to the 63 is hitting a six iron into three toes at 17 and lacking the putt,” McIlroy added.

“That’s the one factor that stands out in my thoughts as a result of I bear in mind coming off the golf course considering that was a extremely good alternative to be the primary individual ever to shoot 62 in a serious, and I didn’t fairly get it finished.”

South Africa’s Branden Grace achieved that feat at Royal Birkdale in 2017, whereas England’s Ross Fisher set the course file of 61 at St Andrews three months later within the Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship.

McIlroy feels the agency and quick circumstances will cut back the possibilities of comparable scores this week, however admits his confidence has been buoyed following a win within the Canadian Open and good ends in the yr’s different majors.

“I’m enjoying effectively. I’m in good type. My confidence in my recreation is as excessive because it’s been in fairly some time,” mentioned the 33-year-old, who was second within the Masters, eighth within the US PGA and fifth within the US Open.

“However I can’t go in right here considering that this is likely to be my time. I simply must exit and play a extremely good event. I’ve bought to string 4 good rounds collectively, and hopefully on the finish of the week, that’s adequate to win.

“I’m comfortable the place the whole lot’s at, and I simply can’t get forward of myself. Simply must ensure that I put together effectively the following couple of days and get myself in the fitting state of mind for Thursday.

“There’s not an entire lot of latest data on the market on the golf course. I haven’t felt like I’ve wanted to do something. I’ve simply form of been in a extremely first rate frame of mind and pleased with the place the whole lot is.

“I feel that form of confidence and contentment in my recreation, it’s a pleasant approach to lead into a serious.

“To listen to your title (introduced) as winner of the gold medal, Champion Golfer of the 12 months, it’s what goals are manufactured from. I nonetheless do not forget that fairly vividly. I’d love to duplicate that on Sunday night.”