Rory wants to do a Rocco
By Brian Keogh
Rory McIlroy wishes he could chill out like Rocco Mediate and take the "aggro" out of retaining his European Tour card.
US Open hero Mediate played with a smile on his face as he forced Tiger Woods to the limit in Monday's play-off at Torrey Pines.
And teenager McIlroy, 19, admitted that he needs to go easier on himself and try to enjoy his golf more as he enters a vital stage of the season.
Back in action after a fortnight's break at the BMW International Open in Munich, McIlroy said: "I would love to be able to play that relaxed but it's something that you can't teach yourself - you just naturally have it or you don't.
"Rocco's got it and it was great to see. He's a great character. He was very much himself and he didn't get wrapped up in everything.
"We can all definitely learn from how he conducted himself and that's just to enjoy yourself.
"When you look at it, all the guys who play well usually seem to be enjoying themselves.
"I was really rooting for Rocco because he gave Tiger a really good fight and he looked like he enjoyed it so much, as though he was playing in a social match."
McIlroy has missed the cut in six of his 14 starts this term but is still looking good to keep his card as he lies 87th in the Order of Merit with at cool €170,352.
He could need another €50,000 to finish the job and hopes that he can relax and enjoy his golf more in the process.
He explained: "I'm not saying it's been a fault of mine but it does seem when I do play too much, I get a little aggravated too easily.
"But whenever I am fresh and I am ready to go, I am quite good with myself even after hitting a bad shot.
"You have to be a positive frame of mind, but all I want to do is secure my Tour card."
Motivated after watching the US Open from start to finish, McIlroy will tee it up in the next four events as well as the Open Championship International Qualifier at Sunningdale on June 30.
Ryder Cup hopeful Graeme McDowell is also in Germany alongside Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie.