Rory McIlroy is determined to free himself from the shackles of his profession after revealing that he has not gone on holiday for more than four years.

The world No 2 cut a wistful figure after his second-round 66 in the Scottish Open. 

McIlroy did fail to convert a birdie putt under four feet on the 16th – and after his US Open meltdown featuring two missed short putts in the final three holes last month, 

he realises all eyes are on his form on the greens with next week’s Open Championship in mind.

But he was happy enough regardless with his nine-under halfway total – three off the pace at the Renaissance Club set 

by Swede Ludvig Aberg – and then declared that he needs to learn to appreciate his achievements.

“I need to take a step back and appreciate what I’ve done in my career and in my life and enjoy my success,” McIlroy said. 

“I don’t really enjoy my success – and I haven’t I would say for the last five. I haven’t been on a vacation in probably four or five years. So I think just stepping back and enjoying myself a little bit more away from my game is the thing. Have some fun.”

At 35 years of age, McIlroy has won four major championships, had 36 other worldwide wins and earned hundreds of millions of dollars. But evidently, it is not just his critics who shrug their shoulders and highlight the fact his last major title came in 2014. McIlroy is so caught up in the sport and his golf, that he struggles for perspective.

“It can be all encompassing trying to figure out this game, I don’t think there’s another sport in the world where golf and life are so intertwined,” he said. “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. I’m committed to having more fun going forward.”

Aberg might be a difficult man to pass at the East Lothian links this weekend. The 24-year-old is remarkably mature considering his inexperience and seems able to take the highs and lows in his stride. This could be a boon as he aims for his biggest title to date.

“Things like a bad bounce are going to happen to everyone at some point,” he said after a second successive 64 put him one clear of France’s Antoine Rozner. “And whenever that happens, you’ve just got to try to deal with it the best you can.”

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Source: CNN