Rory McIlroy makes sad confession as golf star targets first major in a decade at The Open - 'Don't enjoy'

McIlroy has performed well in majors so far this year but, despite making progress, his drought has continued to go on.

He has enjoyed a terrific career to date, winning four of the sport's biggest events in total and 40 competitions since turning professional all the way back in 2007.

But McIlroy, speaking to The Telegraph, has now sadly revealed he doesn't enjoy success and struggles to appreciate everything he's achieved.

"I need to take a step back and appreciate what I've done in my career and in my life and enjoy my success," he said.

"I don't really enjoy my success and I haven't I would say for the last five."

McIlroy also admitted he struggles to switch on from golf, with the Briton confessing to a need to get away and clear his mind.

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"I haven't been on a vacation in probably four or five years," he added.

"So I think just stepping back and enjoying myself a little bit more away from my game is the thing. Have some fun.

"I live on a golf course and it's so easy to just go out there at 7pm and hit a few balls.

"So I think being able to just get away from it and give yourself that free headspace of not thinking about golf is a good thing."

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McIlroy will go into The Open on the back of a positive showing at the recent Scottish Open.

Though the Northern-Irishman missed out on a chance to reach the final round, he's happy with the way he performed and believes it puts him in good stead as he looks to win a fifth major of his career.

"It would have been nice to be at the business end of the tournament and really contend," he said.

"Overall, I feel like my game is in really good shape heading into the final major of the year.

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"The reason that I like to play the week before the Majors is to knock a little bit of rust off and try to get sharp. I feel like I’ve done that.

“It’s good. I haven’t played links golf since Hoylake last year, so it was good to get back on a links course for the first time. It was a solid week.

"I got to play in a little bit of wind, just getting acclimated to the shots that you need and I don’t think the speeds of the greens are going to be too dissimilar. So just trying to adjust.

"I felt like I left a lot of shots out on the course over four days, but off the back of three weeks off, I guess that’s to be expected.

"I played it [Open at Troon] eight years ago and remember it pretty well.

"I think just getting a good strategy on what I’m going to do off the tees and then it’s in and around the greens. It’s the shots that you need around the greens.

"The bunkers at Troon are very penal, so trying to employ a strategy where you can navigate your way around them.

"If I can get the putter to co-operate and get the speed of the greens, I feel like I’ll be in a really good spot."