Rory McIlroy relishing a low-key British Open

By Paul Newberry

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, July 17 2012 8:30 a.m. MDT

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks during a press conference during at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club ahead of the British Open Golf Championship, Lytham St Annes, England Tuesday, July 17, 2012.

Chris Carlson, Associated Press

Summary

Rory McIlroy can go out to dinner without getting bothered by too many fans. He can get his work done without being overwhelmed by interview requests.

LYTHAM ST. ANNES — Rory McIlroy can go out to dinner without getting bothered by too many fans. He can get his work done without being overwhelmed by interview requests.

Some 13 months after his runaway victory in the U.S. Open, Rorymania has died down quite a bit.

That's just fine with him.

McIlroy is enjoying a more low-key approach coming into this British Open, a far cry from the hoopla that surrounded his arrival at Royal St. George's a year ago. Back then, he was coming off an eight-stroke win at Congressional, setting himself up to challenge Tiger Woods as the game's most prominent player.

McIlroy hasn't been able to follow up with another title, but he's still just 23 years old and points out that he's No. 2 in the world rankings.

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