Rickie Fowler pleased with second place at The Open

The American, 25, continued his good form at majors this year, matching his finish from the US Open after being tied for fifth at The Masters by ending up two shots adrift of Northern Irishman McIlroy.

Fowler, still searching for his maiden major win, felt he belonged among the challengers at the biggest tournaments.

"It's hard to be disappointed with it because it was such a great week and with the way I've been playing in the majors, there was some pressure to play this week," he said.

"With how comfortable I've been, I mentioned yesterday it doesn't feel like a big stage, it feels like I should be here. I am definitely pleased with it.

"There is plenty more to come and I'll take 15 under in a lot of majors and sit there and wait in the clubhouse.

"Congrats to Rory, he played awesome and it was kind of fun to throw a few shots at him and it was cool to see him win it."

Fowler carded a five-under 67 in his final round, but three of his birdies came on his remaining four holes at Hoylake.

He said he simply left his run too late, failing to put the pressure on McIlroy early in the final round.

"It was a great back nine but I didn't get off to the start I really wanted to," Fowler said.

"With the way the front nine was playing there was a couple of holes that were downwind and I had a chance to get some birdies going. I really wasn't able to do that.

"I am definitely pleased with the way I hung in there and the way I fought it out. I made some great par saves and I tried to give Rory a little run at the end but I just got on the gas too late."