Why ‘more fun’ is now a priority for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s appearance at the Renaissance Club this week is his first UK event since the unforgettable Masters triumph that ended his 11-year major drought.

Having settled into his new family home in Wentworth, he travelled up to East Lothian with Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose, the player he vanquished in the play-off at Augusta.

As a huge fortnight dawns for the world number two, with The Open on home turf at Royal Portrush looming large next week, McIlroy is feeling refreshed and focused following a two-week break from the “grind” of Tour life.

“The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide,” he says. “And sometimes you need that to completely get away.

“Justin and I were chatting about the detachment from the week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here, when you play PGA Tour golf for that sort of first 25, 30 weeks of the year.

“It’s been lovely to get back and see some familiar faces. And it’s the first time back playing in the UK since what happened at Augusta, so that’s a really nice feeling.”

McIlroy is vying to regain the Scottish Open title he won in 2023 and head to his homeland on a high after enduring fluctuating form in the wake of the Masters.

The Scottish Open has grown in stature in recent years and now has a firm place in the Northern Irishman’s affections.

“This is a tournament and a golf course that has grown on me,” he says. “The fact it’s become a co-sanctioned event, that’s big – especially for some of the top guys in America to come over.

“And you see the social posts of the American guys going out and playing North Berwick at nine o’clock at night and all that, I think that has a certain appeal as well.

“Logistically, this couldn’t be any easier. You stay on site. The range is really good. The course is benign enough that you don’t feel like you’re getting beaten up before The Open.

“It makes for a very good golf tournament.”