FOUR-TIME major winner Rory McIlroy wants this week’s British Masters appearance in the North-East to mark the beginning of the next chapter of a career he wants to be one of the “greatest” of all time.

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed an incredibly successful professional career since making his first outing at this tournament when it was held at The Belfry ten years ago – winning 22 Tour titles since.

But he has endured a difficult last year, having failed to win a title during the 2016-17 season and he only decided to head for Northumberland’s Close House because he failed to qualify for last week’s Tour Championship.

His return to the European Tour on the outskirts of Newcastle also means he will fulfil his criteria for playing the minimum number of events to maintain his playing rights, as he is also scheduled to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship next week.

And he views these next few months as the ideal opportunity to work on his diet in a bid to recapture the sort of form that made him a golfing sensation – and he is prepared to cut out the burgers in a bid to succeed.

The 28-year-old said: "Ten years goes quickly. If someone had told me then that I'd do what I have in my first ten years as a pro I would have been really happy.

"Because of the experiences I've had in those ten years and the golfer I have become, I feel like the next ten years can be even better.

“These next few months are going to be very important in terms of what I want to do going forward. These few months could give me the foundation to make these next ten years even better than the ten years I have just had.

“It can turn a great career into one of the greatest careers, that’s why I am looking forward to it.”

McIlroy arrived in the North-East on Tuesday and ventured into Newcastle where he enjoyed a meal at a Thai restaurant. He has found the area warming, even if curries might have to go the journey in the future.

He said: “I would say my diet has not been as good as it should be, probably. Those who travel a lot will know it can be hard to get into a routine, you always eat out of restaurants and you don’t always make the best choices.

“I’m a bit like a dog, if it is in front of me it will probably get eaten. Whether I want to or not. I need to be a bit more disciplined in that way. Red wine, dark chocolate, burgers, fries, just everything …

“I am 28, not an old man, but when I look at the guys coming through in terms of age, I want to do everything I can to leave no stone unturned to make sure I am as prepared as I possibly can.”

McIlroy would excuse himself a glass or two on Sunday night if he can get his hands on the winners’ cheque at the end of the £3m tournament, starting this morning at Close House.

The luxurious Northumberland venue on the outskirts of Newcastle is hosting the region’s first European Tour event since the Seve Trophy – a team comp – was held at The Wynyard Club in 2005. Slaley Hall held the Great North Open 15 years ago, which was the last individual competition to be held in this area.

McIlroy, after playing in Wednesday’s Pro-Am, said: “I've definitely felt the enthusiasm. You can tell that a big golf tournament hasn't been here for a long time.

“I don't think a golf tournament this size has maybe ever been in this part of the country. You can definitely feel that people are excited - it's a big deal and it's a big event, and it's great to see the locals are getting into it and embracing it.”

More than 50,000 people are expected over the next week, weather permitting, with more than 10,000 envisaged for the first round alone.

McIlroy, a Manchester United fan, added: “You know that obviously European Tour and Sky Sports are going to put on a great event. It seems like even just from playing in the morning Pro-Am that the crowds are going to be pretty good this week.

“Hopefully we have a good winner before four o'clock on Sunday afternoon and hopefully Newcastle can beat Liverpool, so it's all good.”