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Rory McIlroy has been paying close attention to Tiger Woods’ triumph in 2006 as he gets ready to begin his pursuit for his first Open Championship crown.

The Northern Irishman is seeking his third major win, which would leave him needing a Masters victory to complete a career grand slam, and who better to look to for an example of how to win at Hoylake than Tiger Woods.

The American won by two-shots over Chris Di Marco eight years ago, and Woods plotted his way round, hitting iron off the tee and maximising the par-5s. Rory McIlory has been quick to learn.

“I’ll probably use a 2-iron just as much as I’ll use the driver.” – Rory McIlroy

“I think the par-5s are a big key this week,” said the 25-year-old. “If you look back at ’06, I think Tiger played the par-5s in 14-under-par. There are four really good opportunities to make birdie out there. The Par-5s are going to be crucial.”

McIlroy, who missed the cut in last year’s Open, is looking to use his 2-iron off the tee this time around, much like Woods did in 2006.

“I’ll use it on the first two holes definitely,” said McIlroy. “I think it will be an important club. I might use it like four or five times during the round. I’ll probably use a 2-iron just as much as I’ll use the driver.”

143rd Open Championship - Previews

Rory McIlroy looking to be aggressive

The world No. 8 admits he is likely to be more attacking than Woods was when won, especially now the course has softened up in the damper conditions.

“I think you’re going to have to be slightly aggressive off the tee and take some things on,” said McIlory. “We’ve got four par-5s that are all reachable. Even 10 is probably reachable without having to hit driver.”

“But the ball is not going to run too much on the fairways. I feel like you have to be slightly aggressive, just because it’s not as firm as it was back in ’06.”

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