London (AFP) – Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday he hopes staying at “home” will stand him in good stead for the upcoming Scottish Open and next week’s British Open. The six-time major champion has been based in Wentworth since mid-May, despite mainly living in Florida, before the Scottish Open, which begins at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick on Thursday. The British Open will be held at Royal Birkdale, on the coast near Liverpool, 350km north-west of Wentworth.
“It (Wentworth) is not home, but feels like home in a way and (I am) excited to get a little bit of links golf under my belt these next few days,” McIlroy told reporters. “I have got some good memories and we have stayed in the same house here for the last few years. We are next door to the Fleetwoods, and I was playing football with (Tommy’s son) Frankie last night. All that stuff is cool,” the 37-year-old Northern Irishman added.
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McIlroy will play alongside home favourite Robert MacIntyre and champion Chris Gotterup at the Renaissance Club in a headline three-ball on Thursday. World number one Scottie Scheffler prepares for his defence of the Claret Jug when he heads out later with McIlroy’s neighbour Tommy Fleetwood and another Englishman, Matt Fitzpatrick.
“I didn’t come over here just for smoke and prep. I came over here to play golf and play well,” said Scheffler. “I don’t think I’ve played in the final group here yet so it would be nice to get up near the lead and experience that as well.”
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