New start for McIlroy and Harrington

Lee Westwood has urged Rory McIlroy to “be his own man” as he bids to emerge from his mini slump.

The Holywood star, 20, was devastated when he missed his second cut on the trot at the Masters.

But stablemate Westwood believes the Ulster ace should pay no attention to outside influences as he battles for success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Set to take on McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington in the Quail Hollow Championship today, Westwood said: “He shouldn’t listen to too many people. 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 to be your own man and listen to what your head and your heart is telling you. Do your own thing.”

Harrington was also bitterly disappointed to miss the cut at Augusta and is thinking seriously about adding the Celtic Manor Wales Open to his schedule to avoid a repeat performance in June’s US Open at Pebble Beach.

The Dubliner planned to have just one warm up event before the first three majors of the year but may now head to the Ryder Cup venue from June 3-6 before his final US Open tune-up in Memphis.

While Harrington and McIlroy go for glory in North Carolina, European Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie joins seven Irish players at the Spanish Open in Seville.

Peter Lawrie, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry while, Damien McGrane, Michel Hoey, Gary Murphy and Simon Thornton are all in action.

But Monty confessed that absentee Paul McGinley is one of his top choices for an assistant’s role at Celtic Manor in October.

Monty said: “The Americans are having four vice captains. I shall have three, maybe four but I will not be naming them until after The Open at St. Andrews in July because, with Thomas Bjorn and McGinley, I want them to have every chance to make the team as players again.

“I don’t want the situation that Paul had two years ago where he resigned as Nick Faldo’s vice captain because he wanted the chance to play his way into the team. 

“So I am going to give them the chance through The Open, because both Thomas and Paul are talented enough to go and win the British Open.”