• US PGA Championship

McGinley: McIlroy will bounce back

Rory McIlroy recorded an opening round of 79 at Muirfield © PA Photos

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• News: 'Brain-dead' McIlroy's mental struggle
  

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley insists Rory McIlroy has the perfect opportunity to start rediscovering his form by successfully defending his US PGA Championship next month.

McIlroy described his play as "brain dead" as he carded an opening round of 79 in last week's Open Championship before going on to miss the cut. Just three weeks previously he fell at the same stage of the Irish Open at Carton House.

It has been a dramatic upturn in fortunes for McIlroy after claiming five victories last year, including a second major by eight shots at Kiawah Island.

He has yet to claim a win in 2013 after sealing a multi-million pound switch to Nike in January and drew criticism for walking off the course in his defence of the Honda Classic in March, citing wisdom tooth pain.

In the wake of his nightmare performance at Muirfield, McIlroy has admitted he is planning on visiting sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella to try and iron out the mental issues in his game.

But McGinley has no doubts McIlroy will be firing on all cylinders at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next year. He is confident McIlroy can get back on track at Oak Hill Country Club, pointing to the manner in which he bounced back from a 60th-placed finish at Royal Lytham in last year's Open to triumph at Kiawah Island.

"Everybody was saying Rory was playing rubbish [after Lytham]. A month later he went to the US PGA and won by eight," said McGinley.

"Rory is not arrogant. He has a lot of common sense and is willing to listen. He will learn and I have no doubt he will come back.

"At 46 years of age, one of the lessons I've learned is that you have to know who you are and play to your strength, not your weakness.

"Looking back, when I was 24, I wish I got to know myself better. That would have helped my golf.

"Hopefully, Rory will get to know himself really well. Keep doing what works for him. Identify his package, making it stronger and stronger."

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