Rory McIlroy is the bookies' second favourite to win the British Open, and even though the affable 21-year-old has never won a major he is completely at ease with the level of expectation.McIlroy, who honed his game on the windswept links courses of Northern Ireland, has the bad-weather skills and improvisation needed to triumph at the Old Course, and sees his place behind Tiger Woods in the odds list as understandable."I knew I'd come in here as hopefully one of the favourites but it doesn't put any extra pressure on me because I know if I go out and play this golf course the way I know I can, I should have a good chance," he told reporters on Tuesday."I don't think you should be (afraid to talk up one's chances). I've played well here in the past and if I don't let the occasion get the better of me, there's no reason I shouldn't be able to again."World number nine McIlroy, joint runner-up in the Dunhill Links event here last October, has been touted as the next big thing ever since his maiden European Tour win at the Dubai Desert Classic last year.Consistent performances saw him creep up the rankings, top 10 finishes at the U.S. Open and U.S. PGA Championship followed before his explosive potential was joyfully unleashed at the PGA's Quail Hollow event in May this year.Two days before his 21st birthday he fired a course record 10-birdie 62 to claim his first win in the States and cement his place among the world's elite.He missed the cut at the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open this year but the curly-haired prodigy senses a major win lurks inside him."I know going into this championship that I've played well around this golf course before, which gives me a lot of confidence. I'm sure a lot of people are expecting me to play well," said McIlroy."If you look at the winners that have played here before, John Daly in '95, Tiger the last couple of years (2000 and 2005), they're guys that are renowned for hitting it long and being quite aggressive. Hopefully that will play into my hands."(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)News posted by www.newsinfoline.com
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