Rory McIlroy seeks his fifth major victory at the US Open this weekend, fueled by the blueprint of his success at Hoylake in 2014. Currently trailing Rickie Fowler by just two shots in Los Angeles, the Northern Irishman aims to emulate his smart play and strategic approach that led to his previous Open Championship win.
Despite numerous accomplishments in the sport since 2014, McIlroy has been unable to add to his tally of four major titles. Expressing his fervor to secure another major, McIlroy stated, “No one wants me to win another major more than I do.”
With an impressive first-round score of 65 and a subsequent 67 on Friday at Los Angeles Country Club, the 34-year-old finds himself tied for third place at eight under alongside Xander Schauffele.
Known for his exceptional driving distance, McIlroy has shifted his focus to accuracy rather than pure power, a lesson he absorbed from reviewing his previous victory at Hoylake on YouTube. Reflecting on this revelation, he shared, “It set something off in my mind about playing smart. You don’t have to hit driver all the time. I have more weapons in my arsenal now, so I may as well use them.”
While some critics have criticized Los Angeles Country Club for its perceived ease, with record scores and several holes-in-one, McIlroy anticipates tougher conditions over the weekend. He expects the course to resemble the customary challenging and mentally demanding setup that characterizes the US Open.
“It should be tough. It should be just as much of a mental grind out there as a physical one,” McIlroy emphasized, emphasizing the significance of resilience and fortitude.
McIlroy’s dominant performance in 2014, securing both The Open and the US PGA Championship, propelled him to the pinnacle of golf. Despite the prolonged wait for his fifth major triumph, his unwavering desire to win remains intact. Reflecting on his mindset, he stated, “No one wants me to win another major more than I do. The desire is obviously there.”
Having come close to victory at the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews, where he was narrowly defeated by Cameron Smith’s impressive surge, McIlroy pledges to persistently strive for success. “I’ve showed a lot of resilience in my career, a lot of ups and downs, and I keep coming back. I’ll always keep coming back,” he affirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Major pursuit
Q: What is Rory McIlroy’s current position in the US Open?
A: Rory McIlroy is currently tied for third place, two shots behind the leader Rickie Fowler, in the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
Q: How many major victories does Rory McIlroy have?
A: Rory McIlroy has won four major championships in his career so far.
Q: What inspired Rory McIlroy for the US Open?
A: Rory McIlroy drew inspiration from his previous Open Championship win at Hoylake in 2014, using it as a blueprint for his strategy and smart play in the US Open.
Q: How has Rory McIlroy adjusted his game for the US Open?
A: Rory McIlroy has shifted his focus from pure power to accuracy, learning from his review of his previous victory and realizing that he doesn’t always need to rely on hitting driver off the tee.
Q: Is the US Open course considered challenging?
A: While some critics have labeled Los Angeles Country Club as too easy due to low scores and holes-in-one, McIlroy anticipates tougher conditions over the weekend, expecting the course to provide the customary mental and physical challenge of a US Open.
Q: How determined is Rory McIlroy to win another major?
A: Rory McIlroy has a strong desire to win another major, stating that nobody wants it more than he does, and he remains resilient and committed to coming back and giving his best efforts in pursuit of victory.
More about Major pursuit
- US Open Official Website
- Rory McIlroy Official Website
- Los Angeles Country Club Official Website
- 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool
- Rickie Fowler Official Website
- Xander Schauffele Official Website
5 comments
rory is just 2 shots behind fowler in the us open thats awesome hope he catches up and takes the lead! come on rory!
rory’s desire to win another major is so strong i can feel it. he’s been through ups and downs but he keeps coming back. i hope he gets rewarded this time!
mcilroy is changing his game focusing more on accuracy than just distance, smart move dude. i think it will pay off for him in the us open.
rory mcilroy is a great golfer i love watching him play he is so insparational and his win in 2014 was so epic hope he wins another major soon.
mcilroy’s performance at hoylake was awsm! he’s using that to inspier him in the us open. go rory go! u can do it!