‘Limited’ Rory McIlroy highlights area he needs to work on before US Open bid

By David Charlesworth, Press Association

Rory McIlroy feels “limited” off the tee right now and admitted he has some work to do to be ready for next week’s US Open.

The Northern Irishman finished in a tie for 12th on four under par at the Memorial Tournament, alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose and world number one Scottie Scheffler.

While he feels most of his game is in good order heading into the third major of the year, starting on June 18, McIlroy revealed his frustration at how he had been driving off the tee at Muirfield Village.

He found just 30 of 56 fairways last week, although the six-time major champion is taking solace that conditions at Shinnecock Hills should be easier for him to manage off the tee.

“It was sort of like two steps forward, one step back,” McIlroy said when asked to assess his week at Memorial.

“Off the tee still wasn’t where I want it to be. I feel limited at the minute. Thankfully the fairways at Shinnecock are a little wider than they are here.

“I need to work on how I’m hitting it off the tee. But everything else, (my) putting felt pretty good for the most part and my iron play and wedges were pretty nice.

“I’ll just try to keep getting a little bit better each and every day heading into Shinnecock.”

McIlroy flew back to the UK on Sunday night and intends to return to the United States and head straight for Long Island in New York, where the US Open will be held, at the weekend.

“Overall, (it was) not a bad week, got some good stuff out of it, and I’ve got a week to prep and get ready for Shinnecock,” he added.