The Northern Irish golfer finished tied for seventh in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush and is feeling confident ahead of representing in Europe in September's event having previously struggled to play at his best since completing the career Grand Slam by winning The Masters in April.

McIlroy said: "I feel good. I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset. I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be, and we've still got a lot of golf left this year with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September.

"And just make sure I'm - I don't want to play too much leading up to that because I want to be fresh. So I'm looking forward to a few weeks off here.

"I'll reflect on what's been already a good year and start to get myself ready for that run up to the Ryder Cup."

McIlroy was followed loyally by his home fans at Royal Portrush and is "thankful" for the opportunity to play a major championship in his native Northern Ireland - even though he couldn't match the victorious world number one Scottie Scheffler.

The world number two said: "I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last there and that reception.

"Yeah, look, it's been an awesome week. I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug, and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us.

"It's been an amazing week. I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of this crowd.

"Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R+A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am.

"It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week."