British Open 2014: Ahead of first-round, Rory McIlroy fears Friday

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British Open 2014: Ahead of first-round, Rory McIlroy fears Friday image

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is hoping to break his habit of disappointing Friday performances this week at the British Open.

McIlroy began last week's Scottish Open with a 64 on Thursday, but then needed 14 additional strokes in the second round.

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A similar slump wrecked McIlroy's hopes in the 2010 British Open, when he followed a first-round 63 at St. Andrews with a woeful 80.

McIlroy begins play Thursday at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England, among the presumptive favorites.

Asked whether his second-round slip-ups were becoming a recurring issue, McIlroy said: "Yes, it does. It's one that I'd like to stop this week.

"It's more that I just get it in my head and I may be putting a bit too much pressure on myself on Fridays in trying to back up a good score.

"I have no problem shooting a low one on Thursdays so there should be no reason I have any problem shooting a low one on Fridays. I need to go out and pretend like it's a Thursday again."

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McIlroy, a two-time major champion, also admits his links game might be a little rusty because of his time in the United States.

"I played so much links golf in my amateur days," he said. "I was used to playing the shots you need on links courses a little bit more.

"I guess when you go out on tour and you especially play the majority of your golf in the U.S. you start to neglect some of the shots you might need in conditions like this.

"I don't think I've evolved that much as a links player but I've been trying, especially the last few weeks, to really practice hard on some of the shots I might need this week."

McIlroy is grouped with Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama for the first two rounds.

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