The Oakmont Country Club hasn’t exactly been a friend to Rory McIlroy in his recent practice session.
The reigning Masters Champion revealed on Tuesday that he shot an 81 during a round at the Pennsylvania course on June 2.
“Last Monday felt impossible,” McIlroy mentioned at a press conference. “I birdied the last two holes of the 81. It felt nice. I mean, it didn’t seem that bad overall.”
He also expressed optimism, stating that he anticipates the conditions this weekend to be somewhat easier compared to the challenges he faced earlier this month.
“It was a bit soft this morning,” he noted. “The pins don’t always stay on a 3 or 4% slope. If they’re placed on the fairway, it’s definitely playable. However, you really have to think about leaving the ball under the hole to make as many pars as possible.”
Recently, McIlroy has struggled with his game, finishing tied for 47th in the PGA Championship and missing the cut at the RBC Canada Open just last week.
This mini slump has come after a period where his driver was deemed unsuitable before the PGA Championship.
During Tuesday’s conversation with reporters, he expressed hope that these issues are now behind him as he heads into the third major tournament of the year.
“Every driver has its own quirks, so we’re just trying to manage our errors,” he explained. “I’ve learned a lot over the last couple of weeks. After practicing at home, I feel like I’m in a better position as everything aligns this week.”
After achieving a career grand slam, McIlroy admitted that sustaining motivation on the course can be a challenge.
“I really put in a lot of effort from last October to April this year. It was rewarding to see the results of that hard work.” He added, “You have to appreciate what you’ve done. I do feel like I’m still in the game, and I intend to keep it up.”
“At some point, you need to acknowledge that there’s still golf to play this season. The British Open and the Ryder Cup are major events on my radar for the remainder of the year,” he said.
