"It's a big deal"- Home favorite Rory McIlroy hopes to emulate Robert MacIntyre, take victory at Irish Open

Rory McIlroy is among the leaders at the 2024 Irish Open with two rounds to play. The tournament is being played on Northern Irish soil and McIlroy is aware of his role as a local idol.

After a second-round 70 left him in a share of fourth place, Rory McIlroy reflected on how important it is to him and the fans that he has a chance to emulate what Robert MacIntyre did at the Scottish Open.

Here's what Rory McIlroy had to say (via ASAP Sports):

"It's important to have home interest. We have played a few national opens, and what Bob [Robert] MacIntyre did this year."

He added:

"It's a big deal for the home guys to play well in their national open and obviously this is no different and to have a few of us up there around the lead, it only enhances the tournament even more."

McIlroy won the Irish Open back in 2016, and no Irishman has won it since. Prior to McIlroy, only six Irishmen had won the event since its inception in 1927. Two of them are in the 2024 field, Shane Lowry (2009) and Padraig Harrington (2007).

Prior to the 2024 Irish Open, Rory McIlroy had played four tournaments at the highest level in his home country. His results were poor, with one top-10 finish (2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush) and three missed cuts (2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down, 2017 Irish Open at Portstewart and 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush).

In the first round, McIlroy was 3-under with three spectacular birdies in the last three holes. This Friday, he carded an eagle, a birdie, and two bogeys to move to 4-under after 36 holes.

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How many national opens has Rory McIlroy won in his career?

Rory McIlroy has mentioned on several occasions how special the national opens he has won are to him. He told CBS Sports in 2023 (via Playing Through):

"I’ve sort of been big on national opens over the years, and I’m racking up a few of them. So that’s a pretty accolade to have."

He added:

"The national titles are a pretty big deals, especially when you look at the trophy and see the list of winners that have gotten their name on them."

The Northern Irishman has a total of eight titles in seven different national opens around the world. Two of them are also major championships:

• US Open (major): 2011
• Hong Kong Open: 2011
• Australian Open: 2013
• The Open Championship (major): 2014
• Irish Open: 2016
• Canadian Open: 2019 and 2022
• Scottish Open: 2023

McIlroy is also the first (and so far only) player to win the Irish Open, Open Championship, and Scottish Open in his career.

However, he is not the player with the most national open titles. Legendary South African player Bobby Locke won national opens in South Africa, France, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Netherlands (10).