It’s been a great 12 months, says Rory

Northern Irishman says he relished every moment of being US Open champ

Ready to defend: Rory McIlroy is geared up for his defence of the US Open at the Olympic Club

World No.2 Rory McIlroy has said his meeting with Jack Nicklaus will help him during the defence of his US Open trophy this week in San Francisco.

The Northern Irishman, who won his first major at Congressional 12 months ago in sensational fashion, had some private time with the 18-time major winner recently and spoke highly of the influence Nicklaus had on his preparations for what will be a first for the youngster – defending a major title.

“It’s great when you have the opportunity to sit down with arguably the best player that’s ever lived,” McIlroy said. “It was nice to do that with him and nice to just hear his thoughts about how you prepare for major championships and just his thoughts on the game and how he viewed his game and what he felt he needed to do to win tournaments. It’s always very interesting to listen to that.”

Aware of just how severe the test at Olympic club is going to be this week, the world No.2 said that, despite the challenge the players face, he is looking forward to a big week.

“Yeah, this week is going to be very tough for everyone. It’s a tough course. All aspects of your game have got to be on. I’m going to really enjoy the week and enjoy the challenge and, hopefully, that can result in me playing some good golf and maybe having a chance going into Sunday.”

McIlroy has been under more scrutiny than ever since picking up his first major title and said the last 12 months of his life have been a rollercoaster – one that he has loved every minute of the way.

“It’s been a great 12 months. To play these 12 months as a major champion and get to deal with everything that comes along with that has been a great experience. And, yes, last year at Congressional it was great to get that monkey off my back, if you want to say that, very early in my career. It’s been great and I feel like I played very well in that time. I’m really looking forward to this week and giving it a good go in trying to defend.”

Some recent poor form, which saw him miss three cuts on the spin before a top ten at the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis last week, led to many believing the youngster’s eye had been taken off the ball. Since that win at Congressional, McIlroy split with his manager Chubby Chandler, signed with Horizon Sports Management, and got a new girlfriend in tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The two became the young glamour couple of the sports world, although their form of late has not been much to write home about.

McIlroy’s three missed cuts came at a time when he was hopping on private jets to follow his girlfriend in action. Wozniacki, meanwhile, has slipped to No.7 in the world. She was previously world No.1.

A reporter questioned whether he had found it “difficult” to get some balance in his life away from the course, to which he replied: “It’s just finding a balance of everything, with getting enough practice, sponsor commitments, media. You know, what tournaments to play, having a life outside of what you do around golf. Yeah, I mean it is about finding a balance, and it’s something I still feel like I’m learning to do. But, yeah, I’m not complaining. I feel like I’m in a great place. And I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered