HORIZON IRISH OPEN

September 7, 2023

Rory McIlroy

The K Club, Ryder Course

Quick Quotes

Q. 3-under par 69, five birdies and two bogeys, give us an assessment of your play today?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think the two birdies in the last two holes sort of glossed over what was a pretty average day. Didn't really feel great with anything. In fairness, I actually felt pretty good over the putter which is nice.

But yeah, just a little -- it's hard to say I'm rusty when I've only had a week off but I just haven't had a chance to practise much and I just hit a few loose shots out there. Managed my game well and scraped it around in 3-under which is nice and sort of gets me in the tournament.

Q. You mentioned the limited preparation, you're nursing a back issue that you said was 90 per cent gone. Was it an issue out there today?

RORY McILROY: Not at all. It's more that I have not been able to hit a ton of balls. I'm hitting good shots but as you know it's all about knowing your patterns and where you're missing it and where to aim and where not to aim and just a little unsure over a couple shots but again overall I managed myself well today and got it around.

Q. Out early at 8:00 but the Irish crowds out in great force. Describe the support you get from the Irish crowds here in the Dublin area.

RORY McILROY: It's fantastic. No matter where we play The Irish Open, the crowds always come out. It's a pleasure to play in front of them because they are very knowledgeable and they are very enthusiastic. I feel like they live and die every shot with you, whether you hole a putt or miss a putt but it's great to have that support out there for sure.

Q. Last time The Irish Open was held at The K Club seven years ago, Rory was the winner. How satisfied are you trying to come back here and trying to do it again?

RORY McILROY: I think satisfied with how I finished but probably not satisfied with how I played overall. A bit of a struggle out there for me most of the round. Birdied the last couple and I sort of scraped it around and managed my game okay, but yeah, just limited time to practise and prepare coming into this week.

A little unsure about some shots and some swings but you know, a little bit of practise this afternoon. Hopefully feel a bit more comfortable out there tomorrow.

Q. What are the challenges when you have a little time off, still dealing with some nagging back issues to find that form and get your game into shape?

RORY McILROY: I think more than anything trusting yourself, trusting your swing, trusting your ability to swing the way you want to swing, all that sort of stuff.

So mostly that, and I think as well because I haven't practiced that much or hit a lot of balls. It's only been a week between TOUR Championship and here, so it's not a lot of time but it's just sort of those patterns and where you're missing it. You sort of, you know, you get a little more comfortable knowing if you're missing it right or you're missing it left, where to aim, where not to aim. I just haven't played a ton over the last ten days and sort of out of the rhythm of that. Hopefully as the week progresses I can get a little more comfortable.