McIlroy Defends Open Preparations

Andy Murray with McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has revealed that the media frenzy which followed his US Open triumph meant he had no other option than to take a three-week break from competitive golf.

The Northern Irishman has been criticised by Colin Montgomerieand others after he skipped the recent French Open in order to stay at home and prepare for the upcoming Open Championship.

Responding to the criticism, the US Open champion said on his website after practising at Royal St George's: "Some people may have wondered why I chose to go from one major straight to another without anything in between and the answer is simple.

"Because of what happened at Congressional and the way it became such a big deal (he was the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923 and did it with a record score and by an eight-shot margin) I wanted to get everything out of the way and sorted so that when I did start playing again I could just concentrate on golf.

Stern test

"If I had gone to France I just would not have been able to practise or prepare properly.

"Every time I play I want to go out there with a chance to win and that wouldn't have happened.

"There were so many commitments and so much media to do that I would have not been able to give my best, so I decided to wait until I was absolutely ready.

"I didn't touch a club for 10 days after the US Open and then after just hitting balls on the range at home it did feel good when I finally got out on the course again."

McIlroy went on to reveal that he was one of the first players to catch a glimpse of the course layout at Sandwich and he believes the venue will produce a stern test when play gets underway.

"I went down to Royal St George's on Tuesday and Wednesday so that I could get a good look before too many people were there," he added.

"The practice was great because we had one calm day and one when the wind got up so I got a great feel of what we can expect.

"It wasn't my first visit because I remember playing the 2005 home internationals there and also the British Amateur the following year. And, more important, I like the course.

"Some people think it's a bit quirky in places, but I believe it's a good test of golf.

"I don't think the rough will be as heavy as they'd like it, but it will still be tough.

"For me it's quite different to a lot of the other links courses because the greens at Sandwich are quite undulating with some pretty severe slopes in places.

Disappointed

"In some cases you can't just run the ball up, you have to fly the ball all the way to the green and that's ok by me.

"It's not that it suits any particular player because the standard is such that anybody teeing up these days has a chance."

Former world number one Tiger Woods is a notable absentee from the major event as his struggles with injury continue.

And 22-year-old McIlroy, while disappointed not to have one of the sport's greats in attendance, admits the American's absence makes the path to victory somewhat easier.

"Tiger Woods won't have a chance this year because unfortunately he has not recovered from his injuries," he added.

"It's always a disappointment when Tiger isn't in the field because people want to see him play and he brings so much to the game.

"On the other hand, when he isn't there it increases my and everybody else's chances, but I'd certainly prefer him to be there."