US Open: Rory McIlroy searching for ‘right frame of mind’ ahead of The Open as post-Masters drop continues | Golf News
Rory McILroy says he must come back “in the right state of mind” for the open to Royal Portrush after an encouraging finish for a frustrating week at the US Open.
McILroy previously admitted to having fought for motivation since his dramatic victory at the Masters in April, which ended his 11 years of waiting for a fifth major title and finished the big career chelem.
The World No 2 has fought for the form since this success in Augusta National, having not faced the PGA championship, missing the Cup at the Open of RBC Canadian, then stammering the weekend at the US Open.
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Rory McILroy launched his club on the angry fairway and broke a tee marker in a second frustrating round
McILroy has recorded his worst American open finish since 2018, despite having a Cardin of Trois-Moins from 67 in Oakmont on the last day, the 36-year-old now hoping for better fortunes when he returned home for the last major of the year.
“If I can’t motivate myself to get up for an open championship at home, then I don’t know what can motivate me,” McILroy told journalists. “As I said, I just need to put myself in the right state of mind. I probably did not go there in recent weeks.
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Rory McILroy struck the spectators’ heads on the fourth hole in the US Open final in Oakmont
“Back home and have a few weeks off before that, hopefully, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated, will do me again in the right place.
“I climbed my Everest in April, and I think that after doing something like that, you have to come back, and you have to look for another mountain to climb. An open to Portrush is certainly one of them.”
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Highlights of the last round of the Masters in Augusta National, where Rory McILroy finished the big career goat after having beaten Justin Rose in a playoff series
Positive signs for McILroy before the big summer?
McILroy fought on the TEE in the PGA and the Canadian RBC championship, but showed more positive signs with the pilot in Oakmont, using the same Taylormade Qi10 model which helped him win the masters, find 11 of the 14 fairways and do six stews in his last round.
“I feel like I have driven the ball well all week,” said McILroy. “After the way I led him today [final round]I would say that I finished in the top five in lines won over the tee. Really encouraged with the driver and how I also led him.
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Rory McILroy struck his longest car trip of the season with a 392 yards shot on the 12th hole per-five in his first round
“It is not necessarily the driver, it’s more me and in a way where my swing was. I feel like I have a very good feeling in my swing with the driver, which was great. I hope I will be able to continue next week.
“He [his game] is close, as I said. Physically, I have the impression that my game is there. It is just mentally to put me in the right state of mind to get the most out of me. “”
McILroy is back in action on the PGA Tour next week at the Travelers championship before taking two weeks before the Genesi Scottish open, the event before the open.
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Speaking after the third round of the US Open in Oakmont, Rory McILroy explained to the press why he decided to avoid media tasks after tournaments during tournaments
He missed the cup when the open took place for the last time at the Royal Portrush in 2019, after having carded a quadruple Bogey on his tournament opening hole, although targets a better performance on home at home and a second major victory of the year.
“I hope I can celebrate with them [home fans] Sunday evening with the jug of Blaret and the green jacket, “said McILroy.” It will be incredible to go home and play in this atmosphere and see many people I haven’t seen yet. I can’t wait to be there.
“It was nice to finish this week with a little positive note with the way I played today, and yes, I look forward to and try to prepare for Portrush.
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Paul McGinley and Rich Beem reflect on Rory McILroy avoiding
“I can’t wait to return to Europe in general. Obviously, I have an extra week. Play Hartford [Travelers Championship] Next week. We have a lot to hope for, we had our new house in London, play the Scottish and then obviously the open in Portrush.
“I already want to play an open in Portrush and to remember at least what these feelings and feelings felt for which I was probably not prepared at the time. Obviously, it will be my first time in public at home after winning the masters. It should be a very beautiful week.”
Watch Rory McILroy in action throughout the season live on Sky Sports. McILroy will be next in the Travelers championship, with early coverage live Thursday from 12:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf before full coverage from 8 p.m. Get Sky Sports or disseminate without a contract now.
