PADRAIG HARRINGTON warned Rory McIlroy that he is facing a “new burden” after playing “like a rookie” at The Masters.
McIlroy, 35, ended his 11-year wait for a major by completing a career grand slam at Augusta National last month.
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It puts him among the favourites at the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
Some argue that winning the green jacket could allow him to play with more freedom.
But Harrington suggested he may not have a new burden on his shoulders.
The Sky Sports (opens in a new tab)” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Irishman told Sky Sports: “It is interesting because a burden has been lifted, but now there’s a new burden.
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“Quail Hollow is his favourite course on the PGA Tour and he just loves it.
“It just sets up so well for him – a lot of doglegs from right to left and you’ve got to bomb it in the air a long way.
“This is the perfect golf course for him so he’ll be bringing a lot of expectation.”
McIlroy had to do it the hard way at Augusta, at one point throwing away an outright four-shot lead as Justin Rose forced a play-off.
He managed to get the job done on the 19th as the emotions and relief poured out in front of the roaring crowd.
Harrington admitted to being surprised at how emotional the Holywood man was throughout.
He added: “I was amazed the emotions he was showing on the golf course in that last round.
“He played that round like he was a rookie, first time ever in contention.
“He was talking to his golf ball, he was putting his head in his hands and he was showing his emotions on the golf course much more than he would ever.
“It was incredible how big a deal it was for him.
“He hit golf shots like the rest of us, defensive shots that he wouldn’t normally hit.
“It was staggering how normal and human he was in that last round.
“Does he go back to being relaxed and swashbuckling and run away with it and just completely wipe the field with it, which he’s capable of?
“There’s a fair few players that can go and win the PGA Championship but there’s not many that can run away with it.