Rory McIlroy’s Comeback Ahead of the US Open: A Focused Approach at Oakmont Country Club
Rory McIlroy is gearing up for the US Open at Oakmont Country Club, having recently experienced a dip in form that he describes as a much-needed wake-up call. The Northern Irish golfer, who celebrated a historic victory at the Masters in April, is now focused on rediscovering his motivation after struggling to maintain his momentum.
At 36 years old, McIlroy made headlines earlier this year by becoming only the sixth golfer in history to achieve a career Grand Slam with his Masters win at Augusta National. However, since that triumph, he has faced challenges on the course, including a disappointing tied-47th finish at the US PGA Championship and a missed cut at the Canadian Open.
As he prepares to chase his second US Open title—his first being in 2011—McIlroy acknowledges the need to "get my stuff together." His candid reflections reveal the difficulties he faces in maintaining focus after achieving significant milestones. "I think it’s about having a little amnesia and forgetting what happened six weeks ago," he explained. "I need to find the motivation to work hard again."
McIlroy’s struggles with motivation after major victories are not new; he has experienced similar patterns throughout his career. "After accomplishing something, it’s natural to want to enjoy it and relish the achievement," he noted. Despite these challenges, McIlroy has dedicated himself to improving his game, working diligently from October until his Masters victory.
This year has been particularly tumultuous for McIlroy, especially regarding his relationship with the US Open. He made a strategic decision in late 2018 to focus on building his game around the toughest challenges in golf. This shift has paid off, as he has achieved six consecutive top-10 finishes at the US Open and has been the runner-up for the past two years. "The US Open has transformed from my least favorite major to my favorite because of the challenges it presents," he shared.
In preparation for this week’s tournament, McIlroy has also made equipment adjustments, reverting to his previous driver after encountering issues off the tee during the Canadian Open. However, his history with Oakmont has been challenging, marked by missed cuts in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
A recent practice round at Oakmont provided a stark reminder of the course’s difficulty. "Last Monday felt impossible—I shot an 81 but birdied the last two holes," he recalled, noting the tough conditions with five-inch rough and lightning-fast greens. Fortunately, he found the course to be more manageable this week, describing it as feeling "softer" compared to his earlier practice rounds.
As the US Open approaches, McIlroy is determined to overcome his recent struggles and embrace the challenge that Oakmont presents. With a renewed sense of focus and a commitment to his game, he aims to reclaim his spot at the top of the leaderboard.
