'This time I'll be ready for the adulation of the Irish fans,' promises Rory

Rory McIlroy wants to embrace the expectations which come with The Open in his native Northern Ireland after admitting he was ill-prepared for the outpouring of emotion which accompanied his appearance at Royal Portrush in 2019.

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The world number two accepts his decision to isolate himself from the circus which surrounded the major's return for the first time in 68 years to the links where he set the course record of 61 as a 16-year-old was a mistake.

McIlroy admits he struggled to handle the overwhelming support he received and that led to him shooting an eight-over 79 on the first day so that even a second-round 65 could not prevent him missing the cut by a stroke.