Rory McIlroy: “I feel like I’ve figured it out”

The long wait to capture a major championship might almost be over for Rory McIlroy, who believes he is primed to end his drought.

In an interview with Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir, the Northern Irishman hinted at being in a confident position heading into this week’s US Open.

McIlroy claimed the first of his four major wins at Congressional in 2011 and has a top-ten finish in his last four US Open starts.

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He said: “I’ve started to figure out how to handle US Open conditions, and there is a lot more patience in my game than there used to be.

“I’ve had my ups and downs in this tournament as the years have gone by, but I feel like I’ve figured it out.”

The 34-year-old has not tasted major success since the 2014 Open Championship but can be buoyed by recent performances, with three consecutive top-ten finishes.

Rory got quite misty-eyed looking back to winning this tournament – his first major – and also told me he feels he’s building towards something at the moment pic.twitter.com/piNz7I2LwJ

— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) June 14, 2023

The first was a tie for seventh at last month’s PGA Championship, and McIlroy admitted he arrives in Los Angeles better prepared than he did for that test in New York.

“I’m building towards something; I feel a lot better coming into this major championship than I was going into Oak Hill,” said McIlroy.

“My last two performances, minus the two Sundays, I think have been really big steps of progress, and it’s just a matter of trying to build on that.”

Last year was McIlroy’s most productive in majors without winning, thanks to finishing inside the top eight in all four.

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The former world number one did admit to needing a break for his ‘mental and emotional wellbeing’, amid the PGA Tour’s fight against LIV.

Attention seems to be shifting back onto action on the course, though, as McIlroy hopes to clinch a fifth major title.

Just this time, he hopes to remember the triumph better. He said: “I’ve started to just remember
watching the highlights, rather than remembering what had happened.

“It feels like a lifetime ago.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.