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McIlroy relishing Irish Open test

Cape Town - Rory McIlroy returns to Ballyliffin Golf Club for the first time in 12 years and has been blow away by its beauty in the Donegal sun as he tees it up in the Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation.

"This course is fantastic. I haven't played here in 12 years and I'd sort of forgotten how good it was and how beautiful the area was," said McIlroy.

"You know, it's a tough track too. You can't put it in the bunkers off the tee as they are really penal and you have to hit fairways.

"The greens are getting very firm and it's getting bouncy out there, so it's going to be a really good test this week," said the world No 8.

"The sun is going to shine for the next four days as well, and it will only get firmer. That's the way a links should play, and I think everyone's looking forward to that."

The Northern Irishman will make his first appearance in Europe since the BMW PGA Championship - where he finished as a runner-up behind Francesco Molinari.

Having memorably won his home event at the K Club in 2016, the 29-year-old will be looking to add to his 13 European Tour wins.

Joining the four-time Major Champion is world No 5 Jon Rahm, who is defending in Ireland following his emphatic six-shot victory at Portstewart Golf Club last year.

The Spaniard, who followed in the footsteps of countrymen Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal and Sergio Garcia when he triumphed on the Emerald Isle, goes in search of a third Rolex Series title and has an opportunity to become the first player since Colin Montgomerie in 1996 and 1997 to win the historic event on successive occasions.  

"To join an illustrious list of Spanish players who have won here was huge. It was a great honour to join that list and hopefully I can keep coming back and become a multiple champion like Seve was," said Rahm.

"I don't know if it's Spanish players, or just me and my character that really connects with the Irish people, but it's amazing to be a champion and to be an Irish champion. To come back, and get the respect I've gotten, it's absolutely mind-blowing."

READ: Lost clubs see McDowell miss Open qualifier

Former US Open winner Graeme McDowell arrives in Ballyliffin intent on securing a place in The Open Championship - with spots open to the top three players this week not already exempt.

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