Rory McIlroy has backed Shane Lowry’s call for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open to change date.

The world No 10, who finished a massive 17 shots behind winner Lucas Herbert at Mount Juliet, reckons the week after The Open might be better.

“Ultimately, it’s up to European Tour and where they see this event,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think this the ideal date. I don’t know what the ideal date is.”

McIlroy, who is one of five of the world’s top 10 chasing massive world ranking points in this week’s Scottish Open, added: “World rankings points for first place next week is close to 60, this week it’s 28.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing it going back to week after The Open but whether that encourages a few guys to stay one more week, I don’t know.

“Having this chat with Shane the other day, being after The Open might be nice for us. Maybe selfishly, we could relax more, having the last major of the season over.”

Lowry made his feelings clear earlier in the week, stating: “The week after The Open could possibly be a better date than this because it’s just hard.

“Guys are trying to get ready for major championships and obviously The Scottish Open has the best date because they can play on a links course the week before The Open.”

Graeme McDowell, who could be hosting next year, has vowed to back Lowry and McIlroy, “Unfortunately when we turn the TV on next Thursday we are going to see a stark contrast and see how bad this field really is compared to what they have next week in Scotland,” McDowell said. “So it is a bad date, there is no doubt about it.

“I always think the week after a Major is very hard. But if Rory and Shane want it the week after the Open, to me, having Rory and Shane here is 75 pc of the challenge.”