& # 039; I had to keep myself from crying & # 039; – Open experience a turning point for McIlroy

I learned a lot from Open disappointment – McIlroy

The Open at Royal PortrushDate: Monday, December 30 Time: 20:30 GMT Coverage: BBC One Northern Ireland and online

Rory McIlroy says missing the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush was a "turning point in many different things ".

In BBC NI's new documentary, The Open at Royal Portrush, four-time big winner McIlroy says he regards the tournament as his best experience of 2019.

The home favorite was eight-over-par after a scorching opening round in July.

To the delight of the crowd, he recovered on the second day, but the backlog got away despite a six-under 65.

The documentary, which was released on Monday 30 December at 20:30 GMT broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland, winner Shane Lowry sees his remarkable triumph in Portrush reflecting on Ireland's other great champions McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

& # 39; I would not be drinking in Portrush tonight & # 39;

McIlroy was supported by vocal home support and was the favorite of many people to lift the Claret Jug, as The Open was held in Northern Ireland for the second time in its 148-year history.

-of-limits tee shot at the first well the Holywood native four-over after the opening hole.

"I think I was overwhelmed," McIlroy reflects.

"I was like & # 39; wow, this is a bit bigger than I thought it would be & # 39 ;, it's almost like a boxer tour.

" I would say & # 39; maybe I could have prepared myself better for that moment & # 39; , but I don't know if I could have done it. I don't know if there is anything that you can prepare for that. "

& # 39; I had to stop myself from crying & # 39;

Despite the first round, McIlroy apparently left the hope of making the last two days, the fans kept following him in figures as he fought back on day two.

"There was a couple of times during that round that I had to stop crying," admits McIlroy.

"It was like the country was all behind I was touched and just gave me this huge hug.

"I have never felt such a level of support and I think I have forgotten how much I meant the people here, but more, I forgot how much they meant to me."

Shane Lowry of County Offaly was a popular winner at Royal Portrush

Despite the shooting of seven birdies, McIlroy was unable to make his way on the weekend, but the Northern Irish remained adamantly the experience played a crucial role In his strong finish of the season, McIlroy was elected Player of the Year of the PGA Tour.

"It was definitely a turning point in many different things. I flew back to America that weekend and set myself goals before the end of the year and I achieved every goal I set myself.

"I do not want to say that I have reached the lowest point, but if that is the worst, most embarrassing thing that will happen to me in my career, I think that says a lot about what that day did for me.

"It was the best experience for me on a golf course this year."