Tag: professionals-rory-mcilroy

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Professionals

Rory McIlroy: A Season Between Victories and the Futile Hunt for the 5th Major

Rory McIlroy's 2024 season in review. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy's 2024 season in review. (Photo: Getty)

A year full of contrasts – characterised by triumphs, setbacks and the eternal dream of the next major title. Rory McIlroy looks back on an eventful season highlighted by great moments on the course and personal turmoil off the fairway.

Rory McIlroy’s majors, personal crises and a missing fifth title

The season got off to a successful start for Rory McIlroy: he made an early statement on the DP World Tour with a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic. Back on the PGA Tour, he showed a different face – not alone, but as part of a well-rehearsed duo. Together with Shane Lowry, he triumphed at the Zurich Classic, a team event that often promises more fun than strategy. But when it came to the play-off, there was no more relaxation: McIlroy’s approach on the 18th hole was accurate to the millimetre and the subsequent putt secured the first PGA title of the season.

But McIlroy’s individual brilliance on the PGA Tour was evident at the Wells Fargo Championship. At Quail Hollow, he secured his fourth title at this tournament and dominated with a flawless final round, which was characterised by two eagles and a spectacular birdie putt on the 15th hole. ‘When Rory is on form, he’s unbeatable,’ said second-placed Xander Schauffele. The victory marked McIlroy’s 26th PGA Tour title – a strong signal ahead of the upcoming majors.

A rocky road to the US Open

But golf remains a game of uncertainties – and 2024 also had some bitter moments in store for McIlroy. The US Open was another chapter in the quest for his fifth major, which has been going on for years. Two shots ahead, only a few holes left to play, the end almost in sight – and yet victory slipped away from him. Two missed putts on the final holes not only left their mark on his score, but also on McIlroy’s expression. His withdrawal without talking to the media spoke volumes.

‘It was incredibly painful,’ admitted McIlroy at a later point after he was ready for interviews again. ‘I could be sitting here with a fifth major title – but I’m not. It stings and that’s something I have to come to terms with.’ At the same time, he looked at the positive aspects of his season: ‘I was incredibly consistent again. I’m proud of that. But the thoughts of the missed opportunities remain.’

Headlines off the fairways too

In addition to his sporting achievements, Rory McIlroy also made headlines off the course in 2024. Active as ‘Player Director’ on the PGA Tour Policy Board since 2022, he became a central figure in the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the controversial LIV Golf League. But the burden grew: ‘It wasn’t what I signed up for,’ McIlroy explained after his surprise resignation in November.

Just a few months later, however, he hinted at a return to the committee after Webb Simpson vacated his seat. ‘I think I can be helpful,’ said McIlroy, who continues to see a united golf world as a goal.

This back-and-forth comes alongside another setback for the Northern Irishman: reports of an impending divorce from his wife Erica Stoll appeared to be weighing on his mind. But in a surprise twist just before the US Open, the separation was withdrawn – a personal birdie putt that put McIlroy back on his feet.

The grand finale in Dubai: a worthy end to the season

The months between the majors were a rollercoaster ride of emotions: From missing the chance to win the Irish Open at home to losing the play-off at the BMW PGA Championship to the season finale, McIlroy experienced highs and lows. This phase, characterised by frustration, culminated in a moment of redemption: the triumph in Dubai.

Like the experienced golfer that he is, McIlroy found his way back to his best form. At the DP World Tour Championship, he left no doubt as to why his name has been at the top of the world’s leaderboards for years. The duel with young Dane Rasmus Højgaard had it all: setbacks, comebacks, and finally a determined McIlroy, who sealed his third title of the tournament and sixth DP World Tour title of the season with a birdie on the 18th hole.

blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>

That feeling when you win your sixth Race to Dubai title😎🏆#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/ACZjqqLGcz

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 18, 2024

With tears in his eyes, he spoke about the legacy of this victory: ‘Seve was always a role model for me. To catch up with him in the number of wins this season is something I never thought possible.’ For a moment, it was clear that even a player like McIlroy, whose name has long been a legend, is still inspired by the great gestures of the game.

The comparison with Seve Ballesteros emphasises McIlroy’s position in golf. But despite this historic success, there was still one downer: McIlroy’s long search for a fifth major title, which did not lead him to his goal in 2024.

A year full of meaning

Rory McIlroy’s 2024 season was a mixture of extraordinary successes and painful moments. While he equalled Seve Ballesteros and further cemented his place in golf history, the pursuit of more majors remains the drive of a player who is never satisfied. ‘If I had to rate the season, it would probably be an eight out of ten,’ said McIlroy in Dubai. ‘Not perfect, but a solid year.’

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Equipment Highlights Tours

Rory McIlroy WITB with TaylorMade at the DP World Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy's WITB. (Photo: Getty).
Rory McIlroy's WITB. (Photo: Getty).
Victory in the Race to Dubai was safe for Rory McIlroy, but the outcome of the DP World Tour Championship remained exciting right down to the last few holes. With two late birdies, McIlroy prevailed over Rasmus Hojgaard and his Callaway bag to win the DP World Tour season finale and the season ranking for the third time in his career. A look inside the Northern Irishman’s golf bag reveals that he remains loyal to his sponsor TaylorMade.

DP World Tour Championship 2024: WITB Rory McIlroy

(Image: TaylorMade)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9°)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15°, 18°)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Irons: TaylorMade P 760 (4) Irons: TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46, 50, 54, 60)
(Image: TaylorMade)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X
(Image: TaylorMade)
Ball: TaylorMade TP5X
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Panorama

Koepka’s Investment in Woods’ and McIlroy’s TMRW Sports Fuels Speculation

Speculation after investment in Tiger Woods' “TMRW” about a possible return to the PGA Tour by Brooks Koepka. (Photo: Getty)
Speculation after investment in Tiger Woods' “TMRW” about a possible return to the PGA Tour by Brooks Koepka. (Photo: Getty)

Brooks Koepka has made a remarkable investment. The five-time major winner acquired shares in an investment fund called Locker Room, which also holds shares in TMRW Sports through its portfolio. The company owned by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, for example, is the parent company of TGL, which is finally launching its indoor golf spectacle in January. ‘Locker Room offers me the opportunity to actively support companies that are really close to my heart and align with my personal interests and values,’ says Koepka about his commitment, which puts him in good company. ‘Big names’ such as Lewis Hamilton, Gareth Bale, Steph Curry, Justin Timberlake and sports magnates Arthur Blank and John Henry have been investors from the very beginning.

And of course, with this very indirect approach to LIV opponent Woods, rumours of a return to the PGA Tour by Koepka, who is nominally one of the stars of the LIV Golf League, will be competing with Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas in December for the ‘showdown’ between the two rival circuits against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy and has already started teasing his designated team partner and former favourite enemy. Seen in this light, it is safe to speak of a double speculation model.
Author: Michael Basche

 

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European Tour

Rory McIlroy and the Next Narrow Defeat: “Golf Tests My Resilience”

Rory McIlroy with another close second at the BMW PGA Championship. (Image: getty)
Rory McIlroy with another close second at the BMW PGA Championship. (Image: getty)

Just missed is also over: Rory McIlroy’s year of missed successes continued at the DP Word Tour’s flagship tournament in Wentworth. “The game is testing my resilience right now,” said the Northern Irishman after losing the play-off at the BMW PGA Championship to Billy Horschel, who had success over the regular distance on his hands when his ball rolled just millimetres past a winning hole-out eagle on the 72nd hole.

The BMW PGA Championship leaderboard

Rory McIlroy: “I’m Playing Well”

“It’s golf and I’m playing well,” McIlroy tried to maintain a stoic attitude: ”These things just happen. The game is challenging me a bit more than it has in the past, but that’s fine. If you look at my career as a 30-year journey, this is just one year in that journey. And anyway, there have certainly been years where I’ve felt worse.” However, the 35-year-old also admitted that he had become too accustomed to disappointment. No wonder, given the missed chances at the US Open, the Olympic Games and a week ago Sunday at the Irish Open home event at Royal County Down. McIlroy: “There are still quite a few years left on my journey and sooner or later the tide will turn if I keep playing like this.” The next opportunity will come at the Dunhill Links Championship; and in any case, everything looks as if “Rors” will secure the DP World Tour Order of Merit again at the end of the season – for the sixth time.

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Highlights Tours

Olympics 2024: Why Is Rory McIlroy Competing for Ireland?

Rory McIlroy will compete for Ireland again at the 2024 Olympics. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy will compete for Ireland again at the 2024 Olympics. (Source: Getty)

As in Tokyo 2020, Rory McIlroy has once again decided to compete for Ireland at the Olympic Games. McIlroy comes from Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and should therefore actually be competing for Great Britain. However, there is an exemption for athletes from Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy chooses Ireland for the 2024 Olympics

Northern Ireland has a unique position in international sport. Olympic athletes from Northern Ireland have the opportunity to compete for either the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain and Northern Ireland (effectively the United Kingdom). This choice reflects the complex and divided history of the region. “Team GB” is the name under which athletes from Great Britain compete at the Olympics, a name that does not directly include Northern Ireland. There have been calls in the past to rename the team ‘Team UK’ to reflect this inclusion.

McIlroy, who always played under the Irish flag in his youth, chose Ireland despite saying he felt more British. “I made it more difficult for myself than it needed to be,” McIlroy explained. “My thoughts were more about what other people would think. Once I put that behind me and just did what was right for me, the decision became easy. It was an internal battle with all those thoughts.” He continued, “Once I gave up trying not to upset anyone, the decision was pretty easy. I’m going to play golf for the country or nation I’ve always played for, from my junior and amateur days through to the professional game. Although the Olympics give me that choice, there really wasn’t a choice because I’ve played golf for Ireland all my life. Why should that change just because the tournament changes? That was my decision.”

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Panorama

Rory McIlroy Takes Break Following Heartbreaking US Open 2024 Defeat

Rory McIlroy announces break after a heartbreaking US Open 2024 loss, aiming to return stronger and more determined. (Photo: Getty)

The Northern Irish golfer took to X on Monday to reveal that he is stepping back temporarily following a disappointing performance at the US Open 2024. McIlroy, who boasts four Major titles, plans to take a few weeks off to recover mentally and physically.

A Painful Loss at the US Open 2024

McIlroy endured a tough defeat at the US Open 2024 in Pinehurst, missing out on his first Major win in nearly a decade. With a two-shot lead and five holes to play, McIlroy seemed poised for victory. However, bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes cost him dearly. The most painful moments came with two missed short putts: a 75-centimeter putt on the 16th hole and a 1.1-meter putt on the 18th, ultimately costing him the title.

McIlroy’s Reaction and Break Announcement

In a statement on X, McIlroy announced his decision to take a break, returning only for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open. Reflecting on his loss, McIlroy emphasized looking at the positives despite the setbacks. “I have always shown resilience and will do so again,” said McIlroy. He added, “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer.” Despite the missed putts that cost him the title, McIlroy highlighted, “The positives of the week far outweigh the negatives.”

Seventeen Years of Professional Golf: A Retrospective

McIlroy has been a professional golfer for nearly two decades, starting with a spectacular win at the US Open in 2011, followed by several other Major titles. However, since his victory at the 2014 PGA Championship, he has been chasing another Major win. Despite numerous top-10 finishes in recent years, the breakthrough has eluded him. After missing the crucial putts on the 16th and 18th holes, McIlroy left Pinehurst No. 2 without speaking to the media.

Bryson DeChambeau Wins the US Open 2024

Bryson DeChambeau claimed his second US Open title, making a decisive pitch from a fairway bunker onto the 18th green and sinking the winning putt. In his statement, McIlroy congratulated DeChambeau, calling him a “worthy champion.” McIlroy departed the course shortly after the tournament concluded without addressing the media. “Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now,” said McIlroy.

Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open 2024 Win

Support from Peers and Fans

McIlroy received an outpouring of support from colleagues and fans on social media. Shane Lowry, who won the Zurich Classic with McIlroy this year, wrote on X: “From the outside looking in, this game looks easy. But in reality, it’s the toughest of all.” Billy Horschel, speaking of his own struggles, called McIlroy “the greatest player of my generation.”

Future Plans for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy will take several weeks off to prepare for upcoming tournaments. The Genesis Scottish Open, which he won in 2023, starts on July 11, followed by The Open at Royal Troon on July 18. McIlroy hopes to return stronger and end his nearly ten-year Major drought. “I’ll take some time to process everything and build up for my title defense at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open,” McIlroy explained.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024: Praise for DeChambeau & Criticism of McIlroy – The Online Reactions

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy played a dramatic final at the US Open 2024. (Photos: Getty)
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy played a dramatic final at the US Open 2024. (Photos: Getty)

The final day of the US Open 2024 was not just a duel between Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, but for many spectators it was also a duel between the USA and Europe, between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour and ultimately also between a new fan favorite and another Major-disappointment. Because: McIlroy’s final round left most fans with a bad aftertaste in two respects. Golf fans on social media were not only disappointed by the Northern Irishman’s renewed failure, but also by his unsportsmanlike behavior after DeChambeau’s triumph. The latter, on the other hand, was celebrated online.

US Open 2024: Fan Favorite DeChambeau and persistent LIV criticism

After Bryson DeChambeau’s dramatic victory at the US Open 2024, social media was full of congratulations and praise for the 30-year-old, who made a particularly big impression with his incredible bunker shot and the up-and-down on 18. At the press conference, DeChambeau himself spoke of the “shot of his life” and the internet seems to share this opinion. For example, the user ‘Hunter Chandley’ wrote on X (Twitter): “Will go down as one of the best up and downs in golf history. Incredible.”

With shots like these, the LIV golfer not only earns praise, but also makes fans of the PGA Tour like X-user ‘JB Nawrocki’ long for his comeback: “Please come back to the PGA TOUR..that was an incredible up and down!”

The split between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour was also a big topic on social media and generated a lot of discussion. While some fans saw DeChambeau’s triumph as confirmation of the strength of the LIV Tour, others thought the 30-year-old should not have been allowed to take part in the first place. Thomas Cook wrote on X: “Need to get rid of all auto qualifiers for LIV players.”

In addition to clear announcements such as “LIV 1 PGA Tour 0” by Bradley Sherman on X, puns such as “We LIV for this”, “LIV, laugh, love” and “Long LIV King Bryson” also became more frequent. On a dramatic final day, not only did Bryson DeChambeau win his second major title, but LIV Golf once again made a strong case for the strength of the tour. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, caused disappointment in the social media.

US Open 2024: Fans criticize McIlroy’s unsportsmanlike behavior

While Bryson DeChambeau is increasingly becoming a fan favorite after his victory at the US Open 2024, fans on social media are predominantly criticizing Rory McIlroy and his quick disappearance after the bitter final day defeat. The X-account ‘Pro Golf Weekly’, for example, writes: “Even worse than missing two tap-in pars to lose the US Open, Rory McIlroy refused to shake Bryson DeChambeau’s hand and or congratulate the 2024 champion. He also ignored fans as he burned rubber and left the property. Classless!”

However, the aforementioned putting chances that Rory McIlroy almost missed miserably are also causing a lot of talk online and are already being attributed to the Northern Irishman as a typical failure. McIlroy has now been winless at the majors for ten years and was possibly closer to victory at this year’s US Open than he has been for a long time. X-user ‘indigo spannerworks’ wrote: “That will haunt McIlroy for the rest of his career. Missing 2, 3 ft putts in the last 4 holes is criminal for a pro golfer.”

This opinion was shared by user ‘Franklin Sinclair’ with “As usual Rory threw it away” and ‘Albert NANA’ with “Unbelievable and Heartbreaking So close once again but …”

The US Open 2024 was a tournament that certainly deserved two winners in Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. But in the end, it was DeChambeau’s nerves of steel that decided the major, while McIlroy failed on the green. The two stars will meet again in just under a month’s time at The Open in Royal Troon, where the Northern Irishman will have another chance to win his first major in ten years.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024: Frosty Final Round For Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy will play his last round at the US Open 2024 with Patrick Cantlay. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy will play his last round at the US Open 2024 with Patrick Cantlay. (Source: Getty)

The 124th US Open has set the stage for a thrilling final showdown at Pinehurst No. 2. While many eyes might be on the final pairing of Bryson DeChambeau and Matthieu Pavon, golf aficionados know the real drama lies in the group just ahead, where Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay will tee off at 2:10 PM local time.

Rory McIlroy’s Tee Times for the US Open 2024

Rory McIlroy joins Patrick Cantlay for the final round of the US Open 2024

This pairing is not just about golf; it’s a saga of personal friction and competitive fire. Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish superstar, has had a notably tense relationship with Cantlay. McIlroy has publicly referred to Cantlay in less-than-flattering terms, calling him a “dick”. This comment alone set the stage for what promises to be an intense round. The tension doesn’t stop there. Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, and McIlroy had a heated exchange during the Ryder Cup in Rome. The incident escalated on the green and nearly turned physical later at the Marco Simone clubhouse, if not for the intervention of fellow golfer Shane Lowry. This background drama only adds to the intrigue of their pairing.

As they step onto the course, the atmosphere is expected to be frosty. The hot temperatures in North Carolina are also not helping to cool the heated situation down. Cantlay, known by his nickname “Patty Ice,” is reputed for his calm demeanor under pressure, but this final round will test both his and McIlroy’s composure. Fans can expect a highly charged encounter, where every glance and every word exchanged will be scrutinized. The dynamic between McIlroy and Cantlay could very well impact their performance on this challenging course. Both golfers are known for their skill and tenacity, but personal animosity can either fuel exceptional performance or lead to critical mistakes.

US Open 2024 Live Scores

As the final round unfolds, all eyes will be on this duo. Will McIlroy channel his frustration into a stellar performance, or will Cantlay’s icy calmness prevail? The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: The drama, the stakes, and the personalities involved ensure that this will be a round talked about for long.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024 – McIlroy: “I’ve Got A Great Chance Going Into Tomorrow”

Rory McIlroy on the Moving Day of the US Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy on the Moving Day of the US Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy put himself in a good position for the final day of the US Open 2024 with a round of 69 on Moving Day. Apart from a bogey on the sixth hole, the third round looked even better for the Northern Irishman up to the 14th hole thanks to four birdies. However, McIlroy lost two strokes on the last four holes and finished the round one stroke under par and in tied second place with Matthieu Pavon and Patrick Cantlay. After 65-72-69, McIlroy goes into the final day three strokes behind the leader Bryson DeChambeau.

US Open 2024 Live Scores

US Open 2024 – McIlroy: “A really difficult U.S. Open Saturday”

Q. Rory McIlroy, 1-under 69. What are the biggest takeaways from today?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, just a really difficult U.S. Open Saturday. I think everything we expected it to be. The course is getting crispy. Some of the pin positions are pretty tricky. Felt like a lot of them were cut on little crowns. There was a lot of uphill putts but then after the hole it went downhill, so pretty tricky to get the pace right. It caught me out a couple times. I love the test that Pinehurst is presenting, and you’ve got to focus and concentrate on every single shot out there. It’s what a U.S. Open should be like. It’s obviously great to be in the mix.

Q. How closely have you been watching the leaderboard over the last five minutes?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, very closely. I did an interview with NBC there, and while I was doing it, they were showing Bryson on 16, so I know what happened there. The last few holes are playing very, very difficult. Even 17, it’s downwind, but with that pin cut at the front, it’s hard to get that ball close, and even on 18 where that hole location is. No matter what happens, I feel like two shots, three shots, four shots, I’ve got a great chance going into tomorrow.

Q. You talked about embracing the difficulty of this golf course this week. Has that been tested at all, and how encouraging is it that this is the result?

RORY McILROY: I think I’m embracing the questions that the golf course asks of you. I think there’s holes where you have to be aggressive. There’s holes where you have to be conservative. There’s hole locations that you can take on and hit wedges close to. There’s hole locations you’ve got to stay away from. It tests your chipping. It tests your putting. It obviously tests your mental fortitude more than any other golf tournament. As I said at the start of the week, it’s a style of golf that I’ve started to try and embrace over these last few years, and it’s the reason that my performances at the U.S. Open have been much improved over the last half a decade.

Q. Were you sort of pushing to get in the last group with Bryson? Does that matter much at this point? Just overall either way, your shot at getting the fifth major tomorrow, how do you feel about it?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I’m excited about it. It would have been nice to hole that putt at the last and get to 5-under and break out of that logjam at 4. Pros and cons. Pros and cons to being in the last group, and maybe playing one group ahead mightn’t necessarily be a bad thing. I’m pretty much in the same position that I was last year going into the final day at LACC. So familiar position, been here many times before, and hopefully tomorrow I produce the golf that’s needed to go one better.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024: Rory McIlroy Tied For the Lead

Rory McIlroy scratches at the lead after the first round of the US Open 2024. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy scratches at the lead after the first round of the US Open 2024. (Source: Getty)

Rory McIlroy had a fantastic first day at the US Open 2024, making back-to-back birdies on the front nine to move into the upper reaches of the leaderboard on a difficult course. And the Northern Irishman also managed further stroke gains on the second half of the course. McIlroy scored the most important birdie on the last hole. His third birdie on the back nine moved him into a share of the lead with Patrick Cantlay. The world number three remained error-free for the entire round.

US Open 2024 Live Scores

McIlroy Shares the Lead at the US Open 2024

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to the interview area. We’re here with Rory McIlroy. 5-under 65, bogey free. How were you able to keep a clean card out there?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I think I was saying at the start of the week, my approach at the U.S. Opens over the last few years have — I guess I’ve had some success by the sort of mindset that I’ve brought in, especially last year at LACC. The golf course is a little different to what it was last year, but still the same strategy, same mindset.

Just trying to hit it into the middles of greens and giving yourself chances every single time, taking your medicine if you do hit it into trouble.

My short game was good early on. I chipped in at 5 and had a really good up-and-down on 6, another really good up-and-down on 8. But apart from that, I think I hit every other green. It was a really controlled round of golf.

Q. 15 greens in regulation. How important is it to stay pin high out there?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, that’s the other thing. You’ve got to get lucky. I had a lot of really good numbers today where I could just go ahead and hit full shots. Whenever you’re hitting full shots into these greens, the ball is going to stop a little quicker than if you have to take something off or hit little three-quarter shots.

Some days you have good numbers and some days you don’t, and for the most part today, I’ve had good numbers.

Q. At the Masters you were talking about watching Scottie and how he made it look so easy. Another big pairing today. Was it nice to be the one putting on the show?

RORY MCILROY: I guess, in a way. It’s not just the Masters that we’ve been watching Scottie do his thing. But yeah, absolutely.

I enjoy playing in these groups. When you’ve been out here for, whatever it is, 16 or 17 years, sometimes you need a little extra to get the juices going, and being in a group like that definitely helps.

Q. You referenced again that stretch of U.S. Opens where you didn’t have it going so well. Were you not embracing what the U.S. Open is during those years, and what finally got you back on track?

Follow the US Open 2024 on the live blog

RORY MCILROY: No, I didn’t. If you look at the U.S. Open that I did win in ’11, it was more like a PGA Championship rather than a U.S. Open, typical U.S. Open setup.

I really don’t think I embraced U.S. Open setups probably 10 years into my U.S. Open career. Played my first one in ’09, and I think I really changed my mindset around them in 2019, that one in Pebble, and then since then I’ve — I’ve also started to enjoy this style of golf a lot more.

It’s a lot different than the golf that we play week in, week out. I really appreciate that, and I’ve started to appreciate golf course architecture more and more as the years have went on, and I’ve started to read more about it and understand why golf course architects do certain things and design courses the way that they do.

Just becoming more of a student of the game again, and I think because of that I’ve started to embrace golf courses like this and setups like this.

Q. There was a lot of talk at the start of the week about possibly borderline greens. Tiger used the phrase “war of attrition.” How did you feel the setup was today? Do you think they got it just about spot on?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I think so. I think we got lucky, as well. There was a lot of humidity early in the day, and then there was quite a lot of cloud cover the whole way through the day so it kept the golf course from getting too fiery.

Selfishly for me, getting back out there in the morning, it’s going to be nice. Hopefully the clouds clear away and it’s a nice clear day for the guys in the afternoon.

But it definitely wasn’t quite as fiery as I expected it to be this afternoon, which has yielded some decent scores.

Q. I don’t recall you walking in a lot of putts all that often, but on 18, you walked that one right in. How satisfying is it to have that walk-off birdie at the end and get a share of the lead?

RORY MCILROY: I thought I’d left it short. That’s why I walked off it. Full disclosure. It looked good, though.

I think there was a stretch there on the back nine, I birdied 10 and then hit a good shot into 11, made par, good shot into 12, made par, good shot into 13, made par, good shot into 14, made par, and I was on this run of hitting it to 20 feet and two-putting.

I actually had a good two-putt on 15. But I just felt like my patience — I could have got a little impatience, but I felt like my patience was rewarded there with birdies on two of the last three holes. It was really nice to finish like that. As I said, a nice bit of momentum going into the morning round tomorrow.

Q. Did you watch any of the morning to see anything about the golf course?

RORY MCILROY: No, I don’t like watching — I just don’t like watching coverage before I go out to play.

Q. You had a great chance to win last year’s U.S. Open. I’m wondering what’s changed in your golf game and your emotional makeup since then?

RORY MCILROY: Nothing. Same person.

Q. Anything in your game, anything technical?

RORY MCILROY: No. Not really, no. I feel like I’m the same player. I was hitting the ball really good. I’d say if anything, I’d say my iron play is maybe a touch better this year than it was last year, just looking at the stats. But overall I feel like I’m pretty much the same golfer.

Q. This course obviously brings out some — requires some different shots and puts you in some weird spots. What does it bring out in you as a golfer or in your game that you find exciting. Just gives us a different look than what we play week in, week out. It’s different. It’s exciting. You have to be a little more creative and imaginative.

It sort of brings me back to links golf when I was a kid a little bit. The greens are a bit more sort of slopey and there’s a bit more movement on them. But there’s options. You can chip it. You can putt it.

I’d love if we played more golf courses like this.

Q. I know you always come into this week with a plan and some thoughtfulness. Is there a specific theme for this week that you’ve returned to mentally to reorient yourself?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I think just super conservative with my strategy and my game. I think with my demeanor, just trying to be super stoic. Just trying to be as even-keeled as I possibly can be. I really feel like that’s the thing that has served me well in these U.S. Opens over the past few years.

Just trying to be 100 percent committed to the shots and 100 percent committed to having a good attitude.

Q. You’ve often spoken about the need for good starts to major championships. I just wonder how gratifying this feels to have posted the score that you have.

RORY MCILROY: Yeah. It’s been good. I went through a run there for a while where my starts at major championships weren’t very good. Probably got myself a little too worked up at the start of the week.

But yeah, even back to the PGA, I opened with a 5-under there at Valhalla. Felt like I played okay. First day at Augusta, even going all the way back to this tournament last year, opened with a low one. Wasn’t quite as low as Rickie and Xander, but it was nice to open up with a low one and feel like you’re right in the tournament from the first day.

Certainly the major championships that I’ve won or the ones that I’ve played well at, I’ve always seemed to get off to a good start, and it’s nice to get off to another one.

 
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