Rory regains his mojo

Rory McIlroy appears to have improved his bad weather game as the Open approaches. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie Rory McIlroy got his bad-weather mojo back at Royal Portrush and roared - Bring on the Open.

The world No 2 hit four sub par rounds to clinch his first top 10 in the Irish Open since 2008.

And with his wind game now on song, he’s ready for anything the elements can throw at him at Royal Lytham.

Rory said: “I feel like my ball striking has really improved and I’ve done a lot of work on that. They can set up Royal Lytham as hard as they like.”

McIlroy said at Sandwich last year that he was a fair weather golfer and hated playing in wind and rain.

But he proved at Royal Portrush that he’s learning to adapt to the elements and hopes to contend for his first Claret Jug in two weeks’ time.

After adding a bogey free 67 to a stunning 71 in poor weather on Saturday, he said: “Saturday was pretty brutal for the first 13 holes but I was hitting it on the greens and giving myself chances anyway.

“Out there yesteday was nothing compared to the Saturday morning at St Royal St Georges in last year’s Open but it was nice to go out and shoot a good score in weather like that.

“I’ve been working with Michael Bannon on shots for the wind and hit a really nice seven iron into 11 today and few others during the week.

“It’s been nice to control my ball in the wind, even though there wasn’t much today.”

After achieving his goal of reaching world No 1 earlier this season, McIlroy wants to get back to the top soon.

He said: “Getting to No 1 WAS the goal. So I’ve had to reassess them. I am looking forward to the last two majors, the FedEx Cup and the Ryder Cup. There is still a lot to play for.

“My goal is to be as prepared as possible going into the big events and that’s what I’m trying to do. Getting back to No 1 would be ok for a start.”