McIlroy undeterred despite Open low

A week that he hoped would bring him his second major title and take him back to world No 1 ended with him down on eight over par and outside the top 50 after a closing 73.

The 23-year-old had been in joint fifth spot when he opened with a 67, but he then had a 41-hole stretch containing only one birdie.

“I think the thing for me is to stay patient,” said the Northern Irishman, whose previous lowest finish in the event was 47th.

“If it doesn’t happen over the next couple of weeks no big deal. It’s a 20-year career, so I’m not going to get too wound up just over a few weeks.”

McIlroy, who arrived at Lytham on the back of four missed cuts in his previous six starts, is next in action at the Bridgestone World Championship in Akron on Thursday week and then moves on to Kiawah Island in South Carolina for the USPGA Championship.

“I’ve got to keep working away, plugging away, working on the right things and eventually it will come around,” he said.

Asked about the Ryder Cup, he added: “The thing about the Ryder Cup, I’m going to be left out if I’m not playing too good.”