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Don't make the same mistakes I did, Rory - Westwood

It has been a disappointing year for Rory McIlroy © Getty Images

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Lee Westwood has urged Rory McIlroy not to make the same mistakes that he did when struggling for form.

McIlroy has sealed just one top-25 finish on the PGA Tour this year, a disappointing effort after his stellar showing in 2009 - when he claimed his first career title and broke into the world's top ten.

Westwood knows all about how form can plummet, having at one point slumped from fourth in the world rankings to 183rd.

He recovered to become the European No. 1, and he believes McIlroy can complete a similar turnaround if he trusts in his game - which Westwood says he failed to do when in a similar situation.

"He shouldn't listen to too many people," Westwood said. "That's what you can do when you start to hit sticky patches, where you start missing a few cuts and things you don't like - you start to listen to too many people and take too much advice on board.

"He should just be his own man, which is difficult when you're only 20 years of age. It's easy to listen to everybody. I did it when I was 27, 28 and 29 when I was going through a bad patch. But having been through that, then I would say listen to what your head and your heart is telling you. Do your own thing.

"Everywhere is new to him at the moment because he hasn't been out here that much, but even more so over here, and there's always that pressure of expectation when you've had a good year the year before.

"Other people's expectations, and more so your own, can put a little bit of pressure on you as well, but I think he's a good enough player not to worry too much about that and he's a level-headed lad."

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