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Rory McIlroy is hoping to celebrate his homecoming at this week’s Irish Open with a return to the top of The Race to Dubai.
The 2012 European Number One had climbed to second in this year’s standings with his BMW PGA Championship victory, but dropped to third last week as Martin Kaymer leapt into second spot with his US Open Championship triumph.
But the Northern Irishman is just €136,293 behind leader Thomas Björn, while there are also enough points on offer for the World Number Six to return to the top five of the Official World Golf Ranking.
However, the two-time Major winner’s main focus is winning his National Open for the first time.
“It's a special week for the Irish guys,” said McIlroy. “We all make an effort no matter where we are playing or where we are to come back and support this event, and it's shaping up to be a good week.
“The win at Wentworth a few weeks ago was great. The last couple tournaments, Memorial and US Open, there were flashes of good stuff, and I fell away over the weekend at the US Open which was quite disappointing.
“But I've got a new event - right now I focus on The Irish Open and there's a lot to play for me this week personally.
“I've got a chance to go to the top of The Race to Dubai and a chance to get back into the top five in the world, so it's not a week I'm taking lightly. I want to come here and put my best foot forward and try to get another win.”
McIlroy’s week got off to a far from ideal start as his club’s went missing in transit across the Atlantic, but the 25 year old was successfully reunited with them earlier on Wednesday.
“They arrived this morning,” he added. “They got in at 7.00 this morning and then got them couriered down here, so reunited with them, which is good.
“I've been disappointed with my performances in The Irish Open up until this point. I think I've managed a couple of top tens, and that's really been it.
“It would be good to give myself a chance to win at least and feel like I have a real chance going into the last couple of days.
“It's important, whether you're Irish or Spanish or French, your home title is always very important to you; it would be great to win it one day.
“We only get a chance to play here once a year competitively. You want to try and use all these things to your advantage if you can, and having the support of the home crowd is definitely a help, especially if you're in contention and you have a chance to win over the weekend.”
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