Rory McIlroy feels patience will be key as he bids for US Open glory
By Carl Markham, Press Association, Shinnecock Hills
Rory McIlroy believes he has a successful strategy for winning the US Open but a key factor will be patience as the players wait to see how Shinnecock Hills performs in what are expected to be testing weather conditions.
Winds gusting up to 36mph on Thursday afternoon could cause issues for later starters but the Northern Irishman goes off at 7.52am local time (12.52pm IST).
The fast greens may require unprecedented watering between the morning and afternoon waves to prevent some of the chaos seen the last two occasions this part of Long Island hosted the event.
But regardless the Masters champion is relishing the challenge.
“If everything is going the way everyone wants it in terms of weather, set-up, I think it’s the best championship test in the country,” said the world number two, who since missing the cut here in 2018 has recorded six top-10 US Open finishes, including consecutive runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024.
“It tests all aspects of the game: driving, iron play, you need to have your wits about you on the greens. It’s a lot of strategy, thoughtfulness.
“This course demands so much patience – it can really lure you into taking on things that you probably shouldn’t.
“If you can get your ball to the middle of the greens and just putt to the corners wherever the flags are, that’s never a bad strategy.
“The strategy I’ve employed at the US Open over the past few years has been a lot like that and that’s served me well.
“It hasn’t got me the trophy but it’s got me pretty close a few years. I definitely feel I’ve become a lot better of a US Open player by trying to really stay patient throughout the week and not taking on too much.”
McIlroy’s major form is good as after his Masters victory he finished joint-seventh at the US PGA – but he is still not the favourite.
That is Scottie Scheffler, seeking to join the Northern Irishman in the elite career grand slam club which currently numbers six.
His Open Championship win at Portrush means 11 months later he gets a first crack at it. McIlroy had to wait 11 years for his breakthrough.
The perception is Scheffler, second to McIlroy at Augusta, is not having a great season but he has one win, two other runners-up spots, a couple of thirds and a fourth in 12 events.
“I’d say I feel like I’ve been close most of the year, I just haven’t been as sharp as I needed to be,” said the world number one.
“Statistically I’m leading the FedEx Cup, I think I’m leading the strokes gained statistics, so by no means is it a bad year.
“Is it up to the play I’ve had the previous couple of years? Probably not, but it’s not far off.”
The 2021 champion Jon Rahm, who is having a good year with LIV Golf, is another leading contender, as are Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick, champion in 2022, and Tommy Fleetwood, whose major form has disappointed but has had a fourth, fifth and 12th in his last three PGA Tour events.
Fitzpatrick, a winner twice this year, was runner-up at the Canadian Open on Sunday.
“There’s just obviously a few things to tighten up to try and take it to that next level and get it across the line in the bigger events, and hopefully can kind of piece it all together this week,” said the Yorkshireman.
