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Off the back of a relatively good showing in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen, where he finished tied 14th, Rory McIlroy insists he feels ready to contend in this week’s Open Championship.

The Northern Irishman is targeting a third major victory at Royal Liverpool and insists that his trip to the North East of Scotland has got him ready to mount an assault for the Claret Jug.

“It was fantastic ,” said McIlroy. “To play some links golf and have a true links test was great. I’m definitely glad I played and, even though I didn’t get the result I wanted, it was still a great exercise in terms of preparation for next week.”

Had it not been for a calamitous 78 in his second round – where he gave back all seven of the shots he picked up in his record-breaking 64 on day one – it is possible McIlroy could have left Royal Aberdeen with the Scottish Open trophy in tow. He revealed that’s something he hopes to put right at Hoylake.

“If I could just string together four good rounds together, instead of three, then that would be great and, that’s what I’m going to try to do,” he said.

“The way I’m hitting the ball at the minute, I feel most courses suit me.” – Rory McIlroy

Royal Liverpool is a course that McIlroy likes and he enjoyed a reconnaissance trip there en route to the Scottish Open. The key to success? Taking advantage of the par-5s.

“There are four of them at Hoylake and they’re all very reachable, very scoreable,” he said. “They’re where you make your score.

“But, on the whole, the course is very fair. You have to avoid the bunkers off the tee but the greens are quite flat and forgiving. There aren’t many big run-offs or huge slopes, so I feel like it suits me. That said, the way I’m hitting the ball at the minute, I feel most courses suit me. I’m looking forward to getting down there, playing a few rounds and, hopefully, being ready to go on Thursday.”

Follow Rory McIlroy & Co. with bunkered

Keep up-to-date with all the latest goings with Rory McIlroy and the rest of the field from the 2014 Open Championship direct from the bunkered team. Follow us on Twitter (@BunkeredOnline) and Facebook (facebook.com/BunkeredMagazine).

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

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