Rory McIlroy Faces Challenges Ahead of the US Open at Oakmont
As Rory McIlroy prepares for the upcoming US Open, he acknowledges the pressing need to improve his game after a disappointing performance in the tournament preceding golf’s third major of the year.
Struggles with New Equipment Impact Performance at Canadian Open
The Northern Irish golfer encountered difficulties adapting to a recently introduced driver, which contributed to an underwhelming showing at the RBC Canadian open.His second-round 78 marked one of his weakest rounds on tour this season.
Ending nine strokes over par and tied for 149th place, McIlroy missed his first cut this season-a setback not experienced since The Open Championship at Royal Troon last year.
Reflecting on Setbacks and Planning Ahead for Oakmont
Despite these challenges, McIlroy remains persistent to extract valuable lessons from his recent play. he emphasized that even though results were below expectations, there are vital takeaways that can definitely help refine his approach before next week’s event.
“There are still positives to be found,” he remarked. “Even though my last two days didn’t go as hoped,I’m committed to focused practice over the weekend and gaining clarity about where my game stands heading into next week.”
The Impact of Driver Changes on His Game Rhythm
A sudden equipment change was required after McIlroy’s previous driver failed conformity tests just before last month’s US PGA Championship-where he finished tied for 47th place. This forced switch has disrupted his tee-shot consistency as he experiments with different drivers ahead of Oakmont.
“I’m still trying to find that perfect feel off the tee,” said McIlroy. “When I get it right there, everything else tends to fall into place; right now it isn’t clicking and that concerns me given what lies ahead.”
This week saw him revert back to a 44-inch driver designed more for control than distance. However, balancing ball speed with fairway accuracy remains challenging.
“I told Harry [my caddy] near the end this is only my second time using this model this year-and so far it hasn’t gone well,” explained Rory. “I expect several more trials in these coming days.”
The Final Countdown: Preparing For Oakmont’s Rigorous Test
The US Open begins June 12 at Oakmont Country Club-a venue famed for its demanding layout and punishing roughs-making precision off every tee crucial. With less than one week until live coverage starts on Sky Sports, Rory is fully focused on regaining confidence across all aspects of his game.
Tune In: Live Coverage Information
- The tournament will be broadcast live daily starting June 12 from 12:30pm on Sky Sports Golf & Main Event channels.
- you can also stream all major golf tournaments including PGA Tour events without contracts via NOW streaming services.
