AMATEUR star Rory McIlroy is expecting his impressive Open debut to change his life. The 18-year-old finished five over for the tournament won by fellow Irishman Padraig Harrington.
And that was good enough to earn him 42nd place overall - and the Silver Medal for top amateur.
His profile will have risen, but the teenager claims he is ready for that, and looks at it as a good thing if it helps others in the County Down town of Holywood to take up the game.
He said: "I'll go up to Holywood Golf Club after this and see my mates and nothing will have changed. But it's been a great performance at my first major, my first Open.
"I'm sure I'll get more attention after this week and I'm sort of prepared for this, but it will be a bit of a change for me.
"By playing some good golf. I think the interest level in Holywood has risen a bit."
McIlroy now leaves for a 10-day holiday in Dubai before returning to make plans for the Walker Cup and then turning professional in September.
But before that he can savour what he has done at Carnoustie. He said: "It's been awesome. The ovation I got walking off the 18th was phenomenal. I'm probably going to remember that forever."
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