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Rory won't change his style for the Open

ESPN staff
July 18, 2011
Rory McIlroy cut a forlorn figure at times in Kent last week © PA Photos
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Rory McIlroy has insisted he will not change his style of play, even if it means he misses out on tasting Open Championship glory.

The Ulsterman grew up playing links golf in his native Northern Ireland, but his high ball flight is not suited to when the wind blows. McIlroy found life tough at Royal St George's as he failed to follow up his win at the US Open.

His tied-25th finish suggested he has much to work on ahead of next year's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The 22-year-old is ready for the challenge, but will not adapt his game and is looking forward to getting some sun on his back.

"There's no point in changing your game for one week a year," McIlroy said. "That's The Open. You either deal with the weather or just wait for a year when it's nice.

"The amateur tournaments I've won were on links courses but they were all relatively calm."

McIlroy handed back his PGA Tour card after one season, but a weekend of brutal weather in Kent has made him pine for the other side of the Atlantic.

He said:"I'm looking forward to getting back to America and some nice conditions. I'd rather play when it's 80 degrees and sunny and not much wind.

"I'm not a fan of tournaments when the outcome is predicted so much by the weather."

"My game is suited for basically every golf course and most conditions, but these conditions I just don't enjoy playing in really. That's the bottom line."

McIlroy is unchanged in the world rankings at No. 4, while Luke Donald remains No. 1 despite missing the cut.

Open champion Darren Clarke was obviously a big mover, with the Ulsterman's hangover likely to be soothed a shade by the knowledge that he is now up to No. 30.

World Rankings
1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG) 3. Martin Kaymer (GER), 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Phil Mickelson (USA), 7. Dustin Johnson (USA), 8. Matt Kuchar (USA) 9. Jason Day (AUS), 10. Nick Watney (USA), 11. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 12. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 13. KJ Choi (KOR), 14. Bubba Watson (USA), 15. Paul Casey (ENG), 16. Ian Poulter (ENG), 17. Adam Scott (AUS), 18. Hunter Mahan (USA), 19. Robert Karlsson (SWE), 20. Tiger Woods (USA)

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