US Open: Rory McIlroy jokes with Brooks Koepka before finale

Rory McIlroy was the picture of calm as he arrived at the Los Angeles Country Club for the final round of the US Open.

McIlroy, who trails Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark by one heading into Sunday’s denouement, has remained businesslike and tight-lipped during the third major of the season.

He has put the fallout of golf’s shock truce to one side in California, superbly working himself into contention to have a great shot of claiming his fifth major title.

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But while McIlroy has been laser-focused on his own game this week, he was certainly not taking things too seriously as he pitched up at LACC ahead of his final round on Sunday.

McIlroy was being followed by the cameras as he entered the ultra exclusive facility in the shadows of Hollywood, and decided to replicate a joke from one big film star whilst in the spotlight.

The Northern Irishman joked with his good friend Brooks Koepka that “I’m kind of a big deal” during his walk through the car park.

🗣️ "I'm kind of a big deal."

Rory McIlroy jokes with Brooks Koepka on arrival of the final day of the US Open. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/IFTsBCEU2A

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 18, 2023

McIlroy may have been borrowing the phrase from the legendary Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) from the comedy film Anchorman and was all smiles in his exchange with two-time US Open winner Koepka.

He is on the brink of a long-awaited return to golf’s top table this evening and revealed he had thought about winning this tournament as early as Monday.

But the 34-year-old is not getting too carried away as he looks to convert his latest chance at ending his nine-year major drought.

“I’m going out there to try to execute a game plan, and I feel like over the last three days I’ve executed that game plan really, really well, and I just need to do that for one more day,” he said after his third round 69.

McIlroy will play alongside Scottie Scheffler in the penultimate group, after the world No 1 surged back into contention with a stunning eagle-birdie finish on Saturday evening.

A reminder of your key tee times for the final round of the US Open:

9.35pm Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith

9.46pm Bryson DeChambeau, Tom Kim

9.57pm Ryutaro Nagano, Xander Schauffele

10.08pm Dustin Johnson, Harris English

10.19pm  Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy

10.30pm Rickie Fowler, Wyndham Clark

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.