Rory McIlroy Hits Reset Button for Tough US Open at Oakmont
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Rory McIlroy is gearing up for a challenging US Open at Oakmont Country Club, admitting he needed to hit the reset button after a period of lower motivation following his pursuit of a career Grand Slam at the Masters in April. McIlroy acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining momentum after achieving a significant career goal but hopes to rediscover his form and hunger for the year’s third major.
Speaking to reporters at Oakmont, McIlroy confessed he often struggles to perform immediately after a major victory. "I’ve always been a player that struggles to play after a big event, after I win whatever tournament," he said. "I always struggle to show up with motivation the next week because you’ve just accomplished something, and you want to enjoy it and you want to sort of relish the fact that you’ve achieved a goal."
Oakmont, however, demands unwavering focus. McIlroy described a difficult practice round, shooting 81 and calling the course "impossible" due to its challenging conditions: thick rough and fast, undulating greens. He emphasized the importance of patience and a positive attitude to succeed at this demanding venue.
Oakmont's Challenges
McIlroy missed the cut at Oakmont during the 2016 US Open, and recent practice highlighted the course's severity. Despite this, he noted some softening of the course, suggesting it's playable if you find the fairway. His strategy involves prioritizing pars and capitalizing on birdie opportunities when they arise.
Recent Performance
McIlroy's recent form has been below par, including a 47th-place finish at the PGA Championship and missing the cut at the Canadian Open. He attributes these results to a combination of post-Masters relaxation and equipment issues.
- PGA Championship: Finished 47th
- Canadian Open: Missed the cut
Despite the recent struggles, McIlroy remains optimistic and focused on the US Open. He believes the difficulties serve as a reset, sharpening his focus for the challenges ahead.