Rory McIlroy wrapped up his performance at the U.S. Open with a solid showing during the final round, completing the day in a commendable four hours and nine minutes, and achieving a respectable score of 3-under 67. This marked an improvement after a disappointing 74 in the third round, leaving him tied for 23rd when play was suspended.
The world’s No. 2-ranked golfer expressed relief at having navigated the challenging course and articulated a strong desire to return home to Europe. With plans to play in Hartford next week and look forward to a new house in London, McIlroy is optimistic about the upcoming tournaments, particularly The Open at Portrush, where he aims to find his mental game again.
Having achieved a career Grand Slam with his Masters victory earlier this spring, McIlroy acknowledged he has struggled with his form since then. He missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open and had lackluster performances in other tournaments, including the PGA Championship. Reflecting on this, he noted, “I climbed my Everest in April,” and now looks forward to his next challenge, the Open at Portrush.
When reflecting on the emotional experience of the last Open Championship held in Portrush in 2019, McIlroy hopes to better prepare himself mentally this time around. He remarked on the powerful emotion of playing in front of his home crowd and expressed a desire to capture that feeling again: “If I can’t get motivated to get up for an Open Championship at home, then I don’t know what can motivate me.”
Despite the frustrations he faced during the U.S. Open, including throwing his clubs in moments of annoyance, McIlroy ended the tournament on a high. He showcased impressive driving, averaging 321.5 yards with his drives in the final round, ranking first in the tournament with an average of 330.3 yards per drive.
With less than a month until the next tournament, McIlroy remains hopeful. “Physically I feel like my game’s there,” he said, emphasizing the importance of getting into the right mental space to unlock his full potential on the course. His strong finish at Oakmont may provide the momentum he needs as he heads into a busy summer of golf.
This article highlights McIlroy’s resilience and determination, making it clear that he is eager to embrace new challenges and opportunities ahead.