“Rory McIlroy’s Bold Plan to Win the Irish Open Again Could Make History!”

Rory McIlroy is aiming to make his second Irish Open victory at Royal County Down one of the most “meaningful” wins of his career. The world number three returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since missing the cut at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

 

While McIlroy acknowledges that parts of his game need improvement after a “decent” year where tournaments like the US Open slipped through his fingers, he’s excited to reunite with coach Michael Bannon and build on his 2016 Irish Open win at The K Club.

 

“To be home and stay in my own house, see my friends, it’s been great,” McIlroy said at the Newcastle links. “I love coming back, even just to play with my mates at Royal County Down or Portrush. But to play a tournament here—especially after not doing so well last time—I’m really looking forward to improving.”

 

McIlroy last played at Royal County Down when he hosted the 2015 Irish Open but missed the cut. He’s hoping to change that by contending this week in front of the Northern Irish fans, recalling the incredible support he received at Portrush in 2019. “I’ll never forget those days at Portrush, especially the Friday when I was trying to make the cut. The support was amazing,” he said. After being unable to return for the Irish Open during the pandemic, McIlroy is eager to experience that home crowd energy again.

 

Despite a successful season, with wins at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Wells Fargo Championship, and Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry, McIlroy admits he’s let opportunities like the US Open and an Olympic medal slip away. Now, he’s focused on ironing out some technical flaws, winning a sixth Race to Dubai title, and reducing his playing schedule by as many as ten events in 2025.

 

“There are definitely some areas of my game that need cleaning up,” he said. “It’s been such a busy year, and I haven’t had the chance to work on my swing or technique, which I feel has deteriorated. Reconnecting with Michael and working on my game this week has been great, and hopefully, I can carry that form into the rest of the year.”

 

Looking ahead, McIlroy will compete in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the DP World Tour’s final events. He’ll also face off against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in a high-profile exhibition in Las Vegas, teaming up with Scottie Scheffler in what is seen as a clash between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

 

McIlroy sees the event as an opportunity to bring together the world’s best golfers, frustrated by the slow pace of talks between the PGA Tour and LIV’s backers, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). “For golf to be as strong as it can be, we need all the best players competing against each other more often, not just four times a year at the majors,” he said. “If this match helps move things along, that’s a good thing.”

 

As for winning the Irish Open again, McIlroy knows it may not carry the same prestige as other victories. “From an outsider’s perspective, it might not seem as significant as some of my other wins,” he said. “But for me, it would be one of the biggest wins I’ve had.”