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'Don't anoint McIlroy as the crown prince yet' - Nicklaus

Rory McIlroy will be among the favourites at the Open © Getty Images

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Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus has warned the British public not to get carried away with Rory McIlroy, who has been tipped for another big week at the forthcoming Open Championship by Ian Poulter.

McIlroy has not played since his maiden major triumph at the US Open, preferring to deal with a catalogue of media demands before he returns to the golf course. That return will take place at the Open, where McIlroy will be expected to be a major challenger once again after he also led going into the final round of this year's Masters.

The likes of Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood have questioned the wisdom of heading into a tough test such as the Open without playing in a tune-up event first, but Poulter has no fears for the Northern Irishman.

"His form can only be good - he won the US Open the last time he played," said Poulter. "There's going to be lot of media attention around him, not only from the US Open but there'll be a lot of pressure on him to deliver again at the Open. But he'll be in great form.

"He's a naturally good ball-striker and he's going to be ready to go and hungry to try to win."

Nicklaus, who won 18 majors in his illustrious career, is confident McIlroy will add to his one US Open title, but he has warned against expecting the youngster to win every time he takes to a course.

"I think Rory will add a lot of majors," Nicklaus told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme. "Rory is a very talented young man who's been a factor in every one of the majors over the last year.

"He could have won the Masters and the US Open, he could have won the British Open last year. He's a talented young man we're going to see on the scene for a long time.

"But don't anoint him as the crown prince yet. He has won one major. When he starts to win two, three or four, then you can say he's the guy we've got to watch, period.

"But until that time comes, he's one of a group of talented players that have got an opportunity to win."

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