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World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy Top British Player

The World Golf Ranking has shown some minor changes this week for British, Welsh, and Scottish players. Rory McIlroy remains the highest-ranked British player at position 3. Following him is Tommy Fleetwood, positioned at 11, an improvement of one spot from the previous week.

British Players in the World Golf Ranking

Aaron Rai holds the 59th position, a notable improvement from 68th last week. Justin Rose dropped to 66th this week from 63rd and Robert MacIntyre remains stable at 45, maintaining his position from the last week. Same does Matt Fitzpatrick who remains at position 20. Shane Lowry dropped two positions to 33

The Top 10

In the Top-10 of the World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler continues to lead, holding onto his first place. Noteworthy changes include Wyndham Clark, who has climbed to 4th from 5th, and Collin Morikawa, moving up to 6th from 7th. Viktor Hovland has dropped to 7th from 6th. The rest of the Top-10 remains unchanged, highlighting the tight competition at the highest level.

Player NameCurrent RankingLast Week’s Ranking Points
Rory McIlroy33422
Tommy Fleetwood1112206
Matt Fitzpatrick2020175
Tyrrell Hatton2223133
Shane Lowry3331129
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Panorama

Niall Horan Ventures into TGL Ownership

In a surprising move former One Direction heartthrob Niall Horan has acquired an ownership stake in Boston Common Golf. The singer-songwriter has long been associated with the sport through his friendship with golfing superstar Rory McIlroy.

Niall Horan Takes Ownership Stake in Tomorrow Golf League

Boston Common Golf, a team within the innovative Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), has welcomed Niall Horan as an investor. The TGL is an innovative indoor golf league created by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods and is due to start in 2025. Other well-known investors include Serena Williams, Steph Curry and Justin Timberlake.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this venture that merges my passion for golf with the excitement of team competition,” Horan remarked in a statement released on the team’s official website. In addition to his role as an investor, Horan will also act as an ambassador for the team, according to a statement made on the golf team’s website.

Horan Served as a Caddie for Rory McIlroy

Horan has been in the golf business for some time now. From serving as a caddie for McIlroy during the prestigious Masters Par 3 Contest in 2015 to co-founding the successful golf management firm Modest! Golf. His new partnership with Boston Common Golf is the latest addition to Horan’s golf portfolio.

“I can’t wait to experience team golf in this unique format that merges technology with green grass play,” Horan said. “Being able to combine my love for the game and my friendship with Rory into a relationship that helps launch a new concept in golf is truly special.”

Boston Common Golf

Boston Common Golf is one of the six teams of the TGL. The team consists of the four Major winners Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley and is owned by the Fenway Sports Group. The investment group, headed by founders John Henry and Tom Werner, owns the Boston Red Sox, NASCAR’s RFK Racing, the Premier League’s Liverpool franchise and the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Panorama

Rory McIlroy Takes Break Following Heartbreaking US Open 2024 Defeat

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.

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

Rory McIlroy Loses US Open 2024 Duel Against Bryson DeChambeau

Rory McIlroy startet his final day of the US Open 2024 right. With a birdie on hole 1 he set a tone for the day and continued to showcase impressive shots. His duel with Bryson DeChambeau was thrilling to watch and neither one was ready to let go.

US Open 2024 Final: Unrivalled Excitement

After 13 holes McIlroy was able to gain a two shot lead before the American but wasn’t able to hold it long with two bogeys following on holes 15 and 16. The later one caused by a triple putt. McIlroy fell back to -6 and a shared lead with just two holes to go. He saved par on 17 and went on to the 18th hole. After slight trouble he left himself a good par opportunity but, again failed to deliver and missed his chance for a playoff by a few centimeters right of the hole. The bogey signed the deal for DeChambeau, who took the win with an impressive par-safe on the last hole and left McIlroy with another second spot at a major championship.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024 Tee Times: Rory McIlroy Alongside Patrick Cantlay

Before the final day of the US Open 2024, Bryson DeChambeau was able to extend his lead to three strokes with a strong Moving Day performance. The American will tee off in the last group with his playing partner Matthieu Pavon. The Frenchman is at a total of -4 and shares second place with Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, who will start their round together in the second-to-last group of the day at 8:10 PM.

Tee Times US Open 2024 Round X

Tee Teetime Player 1 Player 2
1 7:30 am Seonghyeon Kim Gunnar Broin (a)
1 7:41 am Matthew Fitzpatrick Jackson Suber
1 7:52 am Brandon Wu Austin Eckroat
1 8:3 am Francesco Molinari Ben Kohles
1 8:14 am Dean Burmester Ryan Fox
1 8:25 am Sepp Straka Martin Kaymer
1 8:36 am Greyson Sigg Cameron Young
1 8:47 am Nico Echavarria Brendon Todd
1 8:58 am Justin Lower Sam Bennett
1 9:9 am Adam Scott Brian Campbell
1 9:25 am Matt Kuchar Frankie Capan III
1 9:36 am Adam Svensson Harris English
1 9:47 am Jordan Spieth Si Woo Kim
1 9:58 am Max Greyserman Sahith Theegala
1 10:9 am Daniel Berger Keegan Bradley
1 10:20 am Scottie Scheffler Tom McKibbin
1 10:31 am Brooks Koepka Tim Widing
1 10:42 am Nicolai Højgaard Emiliano Grillo
1 10:53 am Isaiah Salinda Christiaan Bezuidenhout
1 11:4 am Cameron Smith Wyndham Clark
1 11:15 am J.T. Poston Tommy Fleetwood
1 11:31 am Shane Lowry Zac Blair
1 11:42 am Billy Horschel Chris Kirk
1 11:53 am Denny McCarthy Min Woo Lee
1 12:4 pm Neal Shipley (a) Luke Clanton (a)
1 12:15 pm Sam Burns Stephan Jaeger
1 12:26 pm Brian Harman Mark Hubbard
1 12:37 pm David Puig Thomas Detry
1 12:48 pm Akshay Bhatia Russell Henley
1 12:59 pm Davis Thompson Xander Schauffele
1 1:10 pm Sergio Garcia Taylor Pendrith
1 1:26 pm Aaron Rai Tom Kim
1 1:37 pm Corey Conners Collin Morikawa
1 1:48 pm Tony Finau Tyrrell Hatton
1 1:59 pm Ludvig Åberg Hideki Matsuyama
1 2:10 pm Patrick Cantlay Rory McIlroy
1 2:21 pm Matthieu Pavon Bryson DeChambeau
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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024 Rory McIlroy: “I Don’t See Anyone Running Away with it Today”

Rory McIlroy secured himself a good position for the weekend in round 2 of the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst No. 2. The Northern Irishmal finished with a round of 72 shots on the par 70 course, dropping to a total score of three under par. Two bogeys on the first nine had him struggling on day two. After the birdie on hole three he strived to go back to even par but instead a final bogey prevented that. At the time of him finishing the round McIlroy was two back from the lead but the afternoon session with Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Aberg had only started.

Rory McIlroy about his second round at the US Open 2024

RORY McILROY: Yeah, obviously not quite as well as yesterday, but I feel like the golf course plays a little more difficult, even though we were off in the morning. Some of the hole locations were definitely a little tougher. Sort of had to have your wits about you. I putted it off one green there on 17.

Yeah, overall I felt like I did a pretty good job at keeping some of the mistakes off the scorecard. I wish I had converted a couple more of the chances. Hit the ball pretty well. I think only missed one fairway. So I had plenty of opportunities.

Yeah, wasn’t quite as good with the putter today. Still overall in a great position going into the weekend.

Q. Can you talk about the 5th hole a little bit, how that helped your round as far as the score is concerned.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, that back left hole location on 5 is pretty treacherous. If you miss it left there at all, obviously you saw what Xander and Scottie did. After sealing their two attempts, I was pretty happy with mine just to get it over the other side of the green and get it up-and-down for 5.

Yeah, it’s tough. You’re hitting off a lie with the ball above your feet. It’s hard for that. And the winds a touch off the right as well. It’s hard to not let that ball go left on you with your second shot.

I’d say there’s going to be a lot of guys down in that left sandy area today.

Q. How would you say this golf course challenges you differently than your run-of-the-mill Tour course?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it just requires a lot more thought. Even though I hit a great drive up the 8th hole, I had 151 adjusted to the hole. I’m trying to land it 146. I can’t land it 144 because it’s not going to get up there. I can’t land it 148 because it’s going to go over the back of the green.

You just need to have a lot of precision. I feel like for the most part I’ve done that well this week. I’ve got the ball pin-high quite a lot, which is really important. I’m not trying to land the ball pin-high. You’re trying to hit it to a number with a wedge, maybe five short of that, and then with a mid-iron you’re trying to land it 30 feet short of the pin to try to get it pin-high.

Just a little more thought, a little more consideration to everything that you’re doing. Very conservative strategy off the tee. And because most of us are playing conservative off the tee, with irons you can aim down one side of the fairway or the other to try to give yourself better angles to these pins.

Q. Is it clear early on it’s going to be hard for somebody to run away, to get that 6- or 8- or 9-under? Is that in your mind at all?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I mean, I was 2-over pretty early. My goal going into that second nine was if I could get it back to even for the day, I would have been pretty happy. Got that birdie on 3. I was trying to claw one back there. Ultimately I gave one back again.

Yeah, with the way the golf course is and the way some of those hole locations are, I don’t see anyone running away with it today, building up too much of a lead.

That’s certainly what Martin did a few years ago here. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out this afternoon.

Q. 15 had a really tough pin position today.

RORY McILROY: Yeah.

Q. How hard was that playing for you guys? Can you talk about how you had to adjust your strategy for the hole location?

RORY McILROY: It’s funny, I feel like Xander and my shots, we both sort of landed it probably the exact same distance. But his was a little more aggressive and a little more right towards the pin so it stayed on the ledge. Mine was a little further left where the slope is a little steeper. Mine came back down. He’s got a birdie putt from 10 feet, and I’m trying to do well to save par.

As I said, you just have to be so precise. If you’re going left of the hole there, you have to land it at least pin-high, if not a little bit past it. But that’s the great thing about this golf course. If you take a shot on and you pull it off, it rewards you. Xander got that reward on that 15th hole today, and I didn’t.

Q. You said yesterday you didn’t like watching before you went out. Could you explain why. Do you like watching after you finish?

RORY McILROY: I don’t like seeing where other guys are hitting it. I particularly don’t like when I can watch people hit putts on greens because then, whenever I have a similar putt on the golf course, I’m going off the memory of what I think I saw on TV instead of seeing it with my own eyes. I’d rather just not have that option at all.

But yeah, I mean, this afternoon I’ll probably tune in a little bit and watch. But yeah, before I go out to play, I’ve learned the hard way at times that I don’t need to be watching on the TV.

Thank you.

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Highlights Tours

US Open 2024: Rory McIlroy Tied For the Lead

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.

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?

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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Professionals

Rory McIlroy Annuls His Divorce Before the US Open 2024

Just before the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy’s confident demeanor has been clarified: the divorce petition he filed in Florida last month has been voluntarily dismissed. McIlroy and his wife of seven years, Erica, have resolved their differences and decided to stay together.

Rory McIlroy Signed Divorce Petition Before PGA Championship

The initial news of the divorce came as a shock to the golfing world, particularly given its timing just before the PGA Championship. However, recent court documents reveal that the case has been dismissed at the request of both parties. This development coincides with McIlroy’s noticeably positive mood during his media engagements at Pinehurst. Addressing the rumors surrounding his personal life, McIlroy told the Guardian, “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

McIlroy Chases Fifth Major Title

This reconciliation couldn’t come at a better time for McIlroy, who is looking to end his wait for a fifth major title, a quest that has lasted since August 2014. Partnering with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds of the US Open 2024, McIlroy’s focus is now firmly on the task ahead. Reflecting on his career, McIlroy expressed pride in his achievements over the past 15 years. “I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors,” he said. “Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”

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Highlights Tours

Rory McIlroy: “Explosiveness Isn’t Going to Win the US Open 2024”

Rory McIlroy looks forward to an interesting competition on one of the toughest US Open courses. Before the start of the 2024 US Open the golfer talks about his game state and his bigger career goals, as well as Scottie Schefflers impressive season.

US Open 2024 – Rory McIlroy “Can Still Be Europe’s Most Successful Player”

Q: How does it feel to be back at a U.S. Open?

RORY McILROY: It feels good. I’ve been on a pretty good run of U.S. Open performances over the last few years. Obviously had a close call at LACC last year, obviously Wyndham just pipping me to the post there.

But I feel like I really struggled at U.S. Open setups, 2016, ’17, ’18 in particular. I sort of had a bit of a I guess come-to-Jesus moment after that, tried to really figure out why that was.

Then my performances from 2019 and after that have been really, really good.

Q. Based on either gut feeling or analysis of strokes gained or talks with Harry or your previous experience here in 2014, between now and Thursday afternoon, what part of your game are you most focused on?

RORY McILROY: I think it’s course-dependent. I would say for this golf course, it will be around the greens. From what I remember in 2014, it’s obviously generous off the tee in terms of the playing corridors that you’re asked to hit it into. If you hit it outside of those, you can get yourself into trouble, this sandy waste area.

Like most Donald Ross courses, it’s on and around the greens where I’m going to have to sort of do the most work and sort of figure out what shots to hit around greens.

Obviously Martin here 10 years ago used the putter very, very well. Sort of figuring out what I’m comfortable with on and around the greens. I think that will be the big key over the next sort of 36 hours.

Q. You mentioned the last five years, all top 10s, all improvement. Is there one theme to that? Is there something in terms of game plan at different venues that you’ve applied that is reflected in these results, improving every year?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I would say embracing the difficult conditions, embracing the style of golf needed to contend at a U.S. Open, embracing patience. Honestly, embracing what I would have called “boring” back in the day.

Explosiveness isn’t going to win a U.S. Open. It’s more methodically building your score over the course of four days and being okay with that.

Honestly, it’s just more of a reframing of a mindset than anything else.

Q. You’ve spoken about the importance of the short game here at Pinehurst. We always talk about you and talk about your prowess off the tee. That’s the sort of thing that commands the headlines. Do you think your wedge play, which is actually sensational, gets a little overlooked? How much fun is that aspect of the game to you?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think when you excel, especially at one part of the game, there’s other parts of the game that get overlooked a little bit. I feel like I’ve turned myself into a pretty proficient player around the greens. I’ve always been a pretty good chipper of the golf ball. Bunker play has been solid for most of my career. I feel like I’ve turned myself into a really good putter over the past sort of four or five years.

But yeah, the driving is what people are interested in when they watch me hit a golf ball. That’s fine. But it takes more than driving a golf ball to win the amount of tournaments that I have.

Yeah, I feel like all aspects of my game are in pretty good shape at the minute.

Q. Can you talk about Padraig Harrington getting inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

RORY McILROY: Padraig, he’s the quintessential pro. He’s also a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf around the world, anywhere he goes.

I think from someone that grew up in that part of the world, aspiring to be one of the best golfers in the world, Padraig was the one, I’ve said this before, but he was the one that opened the floodgates for us and made us believe we could follow in his footsteps. Winning in Carnoustie in 2007, then winning those two majors back-to-back in 2008, I think myself Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry, a lot of us, we looked at him and saw him achieving things that we wanted to achieve, and it sort of made us believe a little bit more that we could.

I think he really paved the way for us in some way. No one more deserving. As I said, he’s a wonderful ambassador for the game. Probably loves the game of golf more than I do in some ways. He’s a relentless practicer and tinkerer, always trying to figure out ways to get better.

Yeah, as I said, no one more deserving than Padraig.

Q. What is the most impressive to you about what Scottie Scheffler’s been able to accomplish so far this year?

RORY McILROY: The fact that the only thing that took him from winning a golf tournament was going into a jail cell for an hour (laughter).

I think just the relentlessness. Look, a lot of stuff went on in his life, as well. They’ve just had a new child. He’s been through some struggles in his game, particularly the putter that he’s been able to turn around, as well.

It’s not as if he hasn’t had his challenges along the way, or circumstances have been a little bit different for him. But yeah, I mean, the word that I describe it as is “relentless.” It seems like every time he shows up, he is the guy to beat, and deservedly so.

This run that he’s been on, I think he’s played 14 times this year or 13 times this year, only once out of the top 10. Seems like he’s always in contention.

The most exciting thing about last week at Memorial was when he made the triple on 9. Everyone was like, oh, looks like he might let people in here, but he finds a way to steady the ship, make a few birdies when he needs to. Undoubtedly the best player in the world at the minute by a long way.

It’s up to us to try to get to his level.

Q. I don’t remember what tournament it was, but you were in the broadcast booth and said, Maybe he should try a mallet. Do you regret giving him that idea?

RORY McILROY: Well, he tried the Spider last summer for a couple of tournaments. But I think the work that he’s put in with Phil Kenyon as well, I think that’s a big part of it. I know they started to work sort of after the FedExCup Playoffs last year. Obviously the work they’ve done has really been paying off.

Q. You’re drawn with Scottie and Xander again. Is there any advantage to being with those two guys or a disadvantage, get caught up in playing them rather than just concentrating on the golf course?

RORY McILROY: I mean, if they’re playing well and I try to keep up with them, I guess it’s a good thing.

No, I mean, it’s always exciting to be a part of a marquee group like that, No. 1, 2 and 3 in the world. I remember back in the day, I think it was Torrey Pines, watching on TV, I failed to qualify for that tournament. But I remember I think watching Tiger, Phil and Adam Scott the first two days.

It’s cool to be part of these pairings. I think at this point, Scottie, Xander and myself are all experienced enough not to get caught up in it, just to go about our business, try to shoot a couple good scores to put ourselves in position going into the weekend.

Q. You said earlier you kind of found U.S. Open golf a little boring at one point. Pinehurst asks some different questions than most other U.S. Open courses. Do you like that kind of examination where maybe it gives you some kind of a chance to recover better than out of really thick rough?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, because it gives you options and it gives you, like, even going back to last week at Memorial, people hit it offline or people hit a green, you’re basically only seeing players hit one shot. There’s only one option. That turns into it being somewhat one-dimensional and honestly not very exciting.

I think a course like this definitely demands a different skill set and also some creativity. I think that will be on display this week. I’ve already seen some videos online of people maybe trying fairway woods or having lob wedges or putters. Even if you get half lucky and get a decent lie in that wire grass, sandy area, being able to hit a recovery shot.

I think for the viewer at home, that’s more exciting than seeing guys hack out of four-inch rough all the time. Hopefully that comes to fruition and it is an exciting golf tournament.

Q. I think so many golfers talk about the importance of like the current shot or the current tournament that you’re playing. Do you still set career goals? Do you have an idea of numbers or accomplishments that you want to achieve before you hang it up?

RORY McILROY: Not particularly. I mean, I’ve always said I still feel like being the most successful European in the game is within my reach. I’ve got obviously Seve and Nick Faldo to pass there in terms of major wins.

I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors. Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.

I wouldn’t say I’ve got, like, a particular number of wins. I mean, I want to win as many golf tournaments as I can. I want to try to compete and win as many majors as I can.

I think the only thing about trying to pick a number is that you’re setting yourself up for failure or disappointment. Tiger wanted to surpass Jack. It looks like he mightn’t get there, but are we going to call Tiger’s career a failure? Absolutely not. It’s arguably the best. He’s played the best golf anyone’s ever seen.

There’s always going to be that tinge of what could have been. I don’t want to do that to myself. If someone would have told me at 20 years old I’d be sitting here at 35 and this is the career I’ve had, I would not have believed them and I would have been ecstatic.

Still have a good a little bit of time here, hopefully for the next 10 years. I still like to think I’ve got a good run ahead of me. Whatever those numbers are, whatever the totals add up to, I’ll accept that and feel like I’ve done pretty well for a little boy from Northern Ireland that dreamed of playing golf for a living one day.

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Rory McIlroy Aims for Glory at US Open 2024: Performances Analyzed

Rory McIlroy, originally hailing from Northern Ireland, is a name synonymous with golfing excellence. From his major debut to his consistent performances on the global stage. As we inch closer to the US Open 2024, the golf community is keen to see how McIlroy will fare at Pinehurst No. 2, renowned for its tough course and storied history.

Having climbed the ranks to become World Number One, McIlroy’s career is littered with significant achievements. With four major championships under his belt, including the 2011 US Open, McIlroy has consistently demonstrated why he is a force to be reckoned with. Reflecting on his performance at the US Open over the past years, it’s evident that his journey has been both challenging and rewarding.

Rory McIlroy’s Performance at the US Open Golf in Recent Years

Rory McIlroy first tasted major success at the US Open in 2011, held at Congressional Country Club, where he won with a record-breaking score of 16-under-par. This victory not only solidified his reputation as one of golf’s rising stars but also set a new standard for excellence in major tournaments. However, the subsequent years have been a mix of highs and lows.

In recent editions, McIlroy has shown flashes of brilliance. His best finish in the past five years came in 2021, where he tied for 7th place at Torrey Pines. Despite this, he experienced moments of struggle in the 2018 and 2019 US Opens, finishing outside the top 25. The inherent challenges of the US Open, known for its grueling courses and unpredictable weather conditions, have tested even seasoned professionals like McIlroy.

As we look ahead to the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst No. 2, it’s essential to recognize the course’s unique characteristics that may influence McIlroy’s performance. Pinehurst is known for its Pinehurst Number 2 layout, demanding pinpoint accuracy and strategic gameplay. McIlroy’s adaptability and capability to handle high-pressure situations will be crucial here.

The year 2022 saw McIlroy put a valiant effort, yet again finishing T5 at Brookline, showing that while he might face obstacles, his competitive spirit and talent are ever-present. With each tournament, McIlroy continues to refine his game, making the anticipation for his performance at the US Open 2024 even more electrifying.

As fans and analysts alike gear up for another thrilling edition of the US Open, Rory McIlroy remains one of the frontrunners in the conversation. His journey through the past US Opens provides a testament to his enduring prowess and the thrilling potential he brings to Pinehurst in 2024. His commitment to the sport, coupled with his experience, positions him as a key player to watch.

In conclusion, Rory McIlroy’s journey through the US Open over the years has been a rollercoaster of exhilarating victories and formidable challenges. As we eagerly await the US Open 2024, all eyes will undoubtedly be on McIlroy, with hopes high for another remarkable performance.