McIlroy Faces Oakmont Challenge with Renewed Optimism
Elite golfer Rory McIlroy shared his impressions of Oakmont Country Club after a recent reconnaissance visit, where the challenge became evident from the start. McIlroy revealed that during his practice round, he achieved a score of 81, with two birdies in the last two holes. “The flags were in tricky locations, and the greens were running at 15 1/2. It was almost impossible,” commented McIlroy. “I birdied the last two holes for an 81. I felt pretty good. I didn’t feel like I played that badly.” The five-time major champion, who missed the cut at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont, noted that the course conditions have been more benign this week due to the recent rains. McIlroy, along with Shane Lowry, took advantage of Tuesday morning to practice at Oakmont and spend time on the practice range.This is the challenge that Oakmont presents to the best players in the world this week. Some pars will feel like birdies, while bogeys on some of the most difficult holes on the course will be well received. The large, sloping greens of the course are difficult enough, but the challenge begins from the tee, where the thick, deep rough awaits just outside the narrow fairways of Oakmont.It was a little softer. The flags won’t be on 3 or 4% slopes all the time. If you put the ball in the fairway, it’s certainly playable. But then you just have to think about leaving the ball below the hole and trying to make as many pars as you can. If you get a few birdies, that’s a bonus.
Rory McIlroy
Despite being strong off the tee, his recent performances haven’t been the best. After his driver was deemed non-conforming at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month, McIlroy tried using a shorter driver and a different head at the RBC Heritage last week. He only hit 42% of the fairways and found only four in the second round, when he recorded an 80.
In courses like TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National, where he has won this year, missing the fairway still allowed McIlroy to use his skill and hit recovery shots to fight to move up the leaderboard. But at Oakmont this week, he won’t be able to do that. All players know that hitting the fairway is essential to succeed on this course.McIlroy has decided to use last year’s TaylorMade driver model, with the same configuration he used to win the Masters. On Tuesday, he said he has spent time practicing since he missed the cut in Canada and feels much more confident with that club this week. “I feel a little better with the driver over the weekend at home and even today playing a practice round,” McIlroy said. “So hopefully I can hit a few more fairways than I’ve been hitting and give myself some chances.”If you miss the fairway here, you really can’t do anything with it unless you’re in the middle of a fairway bunker and can get something out over the lip.
Rory McIlroy
Scoring opportunities could be scarce this week. In 2016, only four players finished under par. But McIlroy is not the player he was in 2016, especially not at the U.S. Open. After missing three cuts at this event from 2016 to 2018, McIlroy said he made the decision to evolve as a golfer and, as he himself said, rebuild his game around the toughest tests in the sport. Since then, he has had six consecutive top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open, including two consecutive second-place finishes in the last two years.
“I’ve definitely become a much more confident U.S. Open player, and I feel much more comfortable on those firm and fast courses as seen at Pinehurst last year and LACC the year before,” McIlroy said. “The U.S. Open went from probably being my least favorite major to probably my favorite because of what it demands of you. And I love that challenge.”
