Portrush: Rory McIlroy is seeing the second Open Championship in his home Northern Ireland from a markedly different angle than he did during his time at Royal Portrush in 2019.

The spotlight was firmly on McIlroy when the Open returned to Portrush for the first time after a 68-year absence. McIlroy is regarded as one of his nation's greatest sports legends, and he spent his childhood in Holywood, about 100 kilometers to the south.

Six years ago, McIlroy claimed he made an effort to insulate himself from the world around him. He missed the cut after shooting 79 and 65 on the golf course, which didn't help him.

The five-time major champion, now 36 and wiser, has a new mantra this week: embrace the adulation.

By winning the Masters earlier this year, the man became just the sixth player in professional golf to accomplish a grand slam. "I think in 2019, I probably tried to isolate, and I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it," he stated.

"I believe it's better for me. Even if I sometimes have trouble taking praise, it's still wonderful to be able to do so. However, it's also pleasant for someone who is meeting you for the first time in a few years. I'm not trying to avoid it; it simply leads to a more pleasant interaction.

"This week, I'm going to embrace everything that comes my way and not try to shy away from it." I believe that will enhance the experience for everybody concerned.

Reflecting on the 2019 Open, McIlroy recalled that he was taken aback by how much the spectators wanted him to win the title and how that shift in mentality affected him that week.

"I won in Northern Ireland after participating in a few Irish Opens. However, when you arrive at an Open, which is a major championship with all that it entails, I was somewhat surprised when I walked to the first tee and heard that ovation.

"I thought, 'Geez, these folks truly want me to win.'" In my opinion, that put a unique kind of strain on the situation. wanting not to let people down, from within myself. Perhaps I just wasn't psychologically ready for anything that happened that day or that week. However, I soon discovered that one of my struggles, particularly in a week like this, is self-control and managing that inner conflict.

Following a short lull after his Masters victory, McIlroy seems to be back to his best, tying for second place at the Genesis Scottish Open last week. Furthermore, his flame could be fueled by a unique performance in his native country, on a course where he previously established the course record of 61 as a 16-year-old competing in the North of Ireland Championship.

“I’m definitely encouraged by how I’ve played in my previous two starts, particularly last week in Scotland, where I placed tied sixth at Travelers before the Scottish. I've enjoyed the two weeks off after the Travelers to regroup, travel here, and experience a bit of a change of pace," McIlroy said.

"This was the tournament that I most likely circled when I was reviewing the 2025 calendar, even more so than the Masters for various reasons." Considering all that has occurred this year, it's wonderful to be entering here with a major and everything else.

"I'm pleased with the progress of my game." Last week, I think I demonstrated some excellent indicators. I think I'm in a favorable position.

McIlroy will be competing in the world's oldest individual sports tournament for the 15th time this year. He began his amateur career in 2007, finishing tied for 42nd place. In addition to his victory at Royal Liverpool in 2014, he has six other top-10 finishes.

This year's tournament will be the second-most attended in history, with a sold-out audience of 278,000.

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