IRISH OPEN: McIlroy returns to the scene of one of his special moments
The tournament begins at The K Club tomorrow
Rory McIlroy was in relaxed mood at his final press conference ahead of tomorrow's opening round of the Horizon Irish Open at The K Club.
The World Number 2 says he's '90-95 per cent' recovered from the back injury that plagued his during the PGA Tour season-ending Tour Championship last month.
The Holywood man is the start attraction here in Kildare as he aims to win his 'home' open for the first time since 2016 - and at the same venue.
Seven year ago, Mcllroy birdied 16 and then eagled the last to win by three shots in front of an expectant and jubilant crowd. He'll be aiming to do the same again this week, but will surely settle for four positive, injury-free rounds of golf ahead of the Ryder Cup at the end of September.
I followed him for the nine holes he played on Wednesday morning as part of the Pro-Am. Driving-wise he was a mix of superb and wayward, while he gradually found the pace of the greens just as he came to the last couple of holes.
But you got the sense of a man content with how he's playing at present and gradually easing himself into full practice mode after admitting taking some down time after that aforementioned injury.
McIlroy tees off from the 10th at 8am tomorrow, alongside reigning champions Adrian Meronk - who many feel has been hard done after being overlooked for a spot in the European team for the Ryder Cup in Rome - and American Billy Horschel.
One man who did make Luke Donald's wild card selection - Shane Lowry - is out in the group before McIlroy and paired with Min Woo Lee and Ryan Fox.
Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin begins from the first tee at 12.50, in the same group as past Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington and Tom Hoge of America.
Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell is off at 8.50am with Sweden's Marcis Kinhult and Maximillian Kieffer of Germany.