Going to embrace everything: Mcllroy

Rory McIlroy is approaching the second Open Championship in his native Northern Ireland with a completely different perspective than when he was here at Royal Portrush in 2019.

- Joy Chakravarty

When the Open returned to Portrush for the first time after a gap of 68 years, the spotlight was intense on McIlroy, who grew up some 100 kilometers to the south in Holywood and is considered one of the greatest sporting icons of his country.

McIlroy said he tried to cocoon himself from everything happening around him six years ago. That did not help him on the golf course as he missed the cut after rounds of 79 and 65.

Now 36 and wiser, the five-time major champion has a new mantra this week—embrace the adulation.

“I think in 2019, I probably tried to isolate, and I think it’s better for everyone if I embrace it,” said the man who became only the sixth player in professional golf to complete a grand slam by winning the Masters earlier this year.