• European Tour

McIlroy claims credit for Clarke triumph

ESPN staff
July 27, 2011
Rory McIlroy struggled to hit through the wind at the Open Championship © Getty Images
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Irish Open betting tips: Padraig to spoil Clarke's party

US Open champion Rory McIlroy has claimed his share of credit for Darren Clarke's dramatic win at the Open Championship in Kent earlier this month.

Clarke's triumph, his first at a major, was the third by an Ulsterman in just over 12 months, following McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, who won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach.

And McIlroy reckons that each Irish major winner - dating back to Padraig Harrington - has inspired his fellow countrymen to achieve a higher level on the course.

"We'd spurred each other on - Padraig won, Graeme won, which had a big impact on me, and then I'm sure what I did at Congressional had a big impact on Darren," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "We're feeding off one another."

McIlroy is predicting that this week's Irish Open, held at Killarney, will be conquered by one of the home favourites for the second time in three years, following amateur Shane Lowry's shock triumph in 2009. "I think if you finish as top Irishman here you'll have a good chance to win," he said.

Meanwhile, McIlroy has hinted that he is feeling rusty on the course, having appeared just once - at the Open - since demolishing the field at Congressional.

"I'm slowly getting used to life as a major champion," he said. "I just want to get back on the golf course, that's where I'm most comfortable - I've only played once in the last four or five weeks.

"It would be incredible to win the National Open, it's a huge pull and huge achievement."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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