"Visually, it's spectacular," said the 2014 champ in a video released by the R&A. "How they've cut this hole through the dunes, they've made it look as though the hole has been here since the course was built."
McIlroy said there was "something about this place" that felt close to him.
"It's always been a special place for me and I have those memories of my dad playing here when I was a kid. I first met Darren Clarke here when I was ten years old on my birthday, so it's been a really cool place for me."
