Rory McIlroy has told the press that Grame McDowell’s recent victory at the US Open in Peblle Beach gave him enormous confidence that he can up his own game and land similar victories.

McIlroy, who is aged just 21, said that as he’s trained extensively with McDowell he thinks that he’ll be able to match his performance in the future.

The Northern Ireland youngster narrowly missed out on qualifying for the prestigious tournament at Pebble Beach.

The world number 10 added though, that: "I have played a lot with G-Mac [McDowell] over the years and to see what he has done lifts me,"

"If G-Mac can win the US Open the way he did I've played with him enough week in, week out to know that I can go out on any given week and do the same thing.

"I caught up with him last week. There was a big party for him and then he came down to our house and stayed with us and we played a game at Royal County Down.
"He is still buzzing from it. He's gone back to Orlando to get some practice in before the Scottish Open and the Open.

"It's a fantastic time for European golf and British and Irish golf in particular. I don't want to be the only Irishman on the Ryder Cup team without a major (Padraig Harrington has three).

"I've not been as consistent as I would have liked so far this year, but the win gave me a lot of confidence going into the second half of the season.

"The first two majors have been a disappointment, but I feel my game is nearly there and have done a lot of good work on my swing.

"We all know St Andrews well from playing the Dunhill (McIlroy was third there in 2007 just after turning professional and runner-up last October).

"It will be playing a bit different, bouncier and more fiery, but the Europeans will have a good chance," concluded the star golfer.