Rory McIlroy ‘more confident than ever’ of winning fifth major

Rory McIlroy has reiterated his belief that major win number five is right around the corner.

The Masters represented another unsuccessful bid at the grand slam, but the Northern Irishman believes he’s closer than ever.

“I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved,” said McIlroy, ahead of the US Open.

“Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”

The 35-year-old has seven top ten finishes from his last ten starts in major championships, a run that includes two solo second place efforts.

Meanwhile, he’s looking to back up five consecutive top ten finishes in the US Open at Pinehurst this week.

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It’s after what McIlroy described as a “come-to-Jesus” moment, following three missed cuts in a row between 2016 and 2018.

However, McIlroy admits he will have no regrets should his career end without any more triumphs at the top table.

“I think the only thing about trying to pick a number is that you’re setting yourself up for failure or disappointment,” he said.

“Tiger wanted to surpass Jack. It looks like he mightn’t get there, but are we going to call Tiger’s career a failure? Absolutely not. It’s arguably the best. He’s played the best golf anyone’s ever seen.

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“There’s always going to be that tinge of what could have been. I don’t want to do that to myself. If someone would have told me at 20 years old, I’d be sitting here at 35 and this is the career I’ve had, I would not have believed them and I would have been ecstatic.

“Still have a good a little bit of time here, hopefully for the next ten years. I still like to think I’ve got a good run ahead of me.

“Whatever those numbers are, whatever the totals add up to, I’ll accept that and feel like I’ve done pretty well for a little boy from Northern Ireland that dreamed of playing golf for a living one day.”

Getting his hands on more major silverware would complete one goal McIlroy is keen to achieve, though.

“I’ve always said I still feel like being the most successful European in the game is within my reach. I’ve got obviously Seve and Nick Faldo to pass there in terms of major wins.”

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.