McIlroy finds Hoylake less lush than expected

McIlroy finds Hoylake less lush than expected

Rory McIlroy's private life continues to make headlines in Sunday newspapers but when it comes to golf, his latest tweet is worth more than a thousand words.

Royal Liverpool might have been burnt to a crisp in 2006 but it's unlikely to get that brown this year, even if it was clear from McIlroy's picture of his Saturday practice round at The Open venue that the sprinklers have been left off.

The 18th has a summer links look about it but given the recent showery weather, we'd need a two week heatwave to recreate the bunt out look of eight years ago, when Tiger Woods won in impressive fashion.

Here's Hoylake on June 13.

ROYAL LIVERPOOL, HOYLAKE, 13 JUNE 2014. PICTURE © RAYMOND MCMAHON

ROYAL LIVERPOOL, HOYLAKE, 13 JUNE 2014. PICTURE © RAYMOND MCMAHON

Here's a shot of the 18th back in April

And here it is in 2006, when Tiger Woods won back to back Clart Jugs, using his driver just once in 72 holes.