Graeme McDowell makes worrying prediction about Rory McIlroy

Graeme McDowell  McDowell believes Rory McIlroy will not be able to carry the weight of the country on his shoulders at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy is returning home to compete for the first time since completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta National in April.

McIlroy has spoken at length about enjoying the Open in front of his home crowd this week.

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After making quadruple bogey on his very first hole in 2019 and missing the cut, McIlroy admitted he was very disappointed and now wants to be the Pied Piper of the Links.

But Portrush native McDowell thinks it is impossible for McIlroy to live up to that expectation.

“I think Rory will have to deal with a lot of emotions this week,” the former US Open champion told Sky Sports.

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After making the cut on a triumphant return here in 2019, McDowell is in the Sky Sports studio this week as he misses out on Open Final qualifying.

With rain expected this weekend, McDowell considers Jon Rahm his favourite to win the Claret Jug on Sunday.

“There’s an art to playing golf in wet weather. It’s very hard to pick a player who we think is a master of it, because they’re all spoiled and playing in the sun most of the time,” McDowell added.

“This might sound a little biased, but Jon Rahm is my favorite player.”

Sky Sports commentator Wayne Riley has claimed golf desperately needs five-time major champion Rory McIlroy.

Speaking to bunkered.co.uk ahead of the 153rd Open, ‘Radar’ argued there is no one else like the Northern Irishman in the professional game.

McIlroy is looking for his first win since completing the career Grand Slam in April, but Riley hopes Royal Portrush will rejuvenate him.

“I totally get the hangover. I totally get it. Now that he’s home, I think Rory is back,” the Australian said.

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“I mean, how would that feel? We can only put ourselves in that position mentally because none of us will ever win a career Grand Slam.

“Everybody is beating Rory at the moment, and he’s not going to like that. And if he doesn’t get the motivation at the Open next week, he might just stop playing golf.”

“I mean, he doesn’t need to play golf anymore, but the game of golf needs Rory McIlroy. We need him. I think his personality is bigger than all the Americans.”

Riley added: “He’s got a charisma, it’s nothing against the other players, it’s like everybody knows Rory McIlroy.

“He’s a happy person, a family man, his parents have done a great job. He hasn’t changed; I can tell you that’s true. He’s never really changed.

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Riley added that he has never been intimidated by McIlroy’s golf; although he admitted he would have to find a new Everest to climb.

McIlroy, 36, finished 47th at the PGA Championship and 19th at the US Open, having never competed at Quail Hollow or Oakmont.

The Masters champion’s form has been much debated, but he showed signs of returning to his best form in Scotland last week. McIlroy finished second at the Genesis Scottish Open after finishing sixth at the Travelers Championship.

Meanwhile, Riley believes a move back to England will help the Hollywood legend end the year strongly. “He’s ready for the Ryder Cup as well,” he said. said. “Coming back to England will give me a boost. I think it will help him bounce back, because of everything he’s been through. He’s overcome a lot in the US,” Rader said. “So, I think it will help. I have no fear at all about Rory McIlroy’s golf. I have no fear at all. And next week at Portrush, hopefully he’ll have a better start.”