Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, described Oakmont, this week's US Open venue, as feeling "impossible" during a practice round last week. The world number two revealed he shot an 81 last Monday, highlighting the course's demanding nature, though he noted an improvement the following day.
Oakmont's Redesign and McIlroy's Past Struggles
McIlroy previously missed the cut at Oakmont in 2016 when the course last hosted the US Open, prior to its redesign in 2023. He admitted trying to erase that week from his memory, but the course's severe demands – five-inch rough and undulating greens – quickly brought him back to reality during a practice round where he carded 11-over on June 2nd.
"Last Monday felt impossible - I birdied the last two holes for 81," said McIlroy, a five-time major winner, describing Oakmont as a "big brute of a golf course." He added, "It felt pretty good, it didn't feel like I played that bad… It's much more benign now - they had the pins in dicey positions and the greens were running at 15 and a half. It was nearly impossible."
Adapting to the Course's Demands
McIlroy, the 2011 US Open champion, has faced challenges with his driver recently and is coming off a disappointing week at the Canadian Open, where he missed the cut by 12 shots. However, he acknowledged that Oakmont felt "softer" during Tuesday's practice.
"If you put it on the fairway, it's certainly playable," McIlroy stated. "But then you just have to think about leaving your ball below the hole and just trying to make as many pars as you can. If you get yourself in the way of a few birdies, that's a bonus."
- Strategic Play: Focus on fairway accuracy and strategic placement.
- Patience is Key: The player with the most patience and the best attitude is likely to win.
- Course Penalties: Missing the fairway can be highly penal, requiring meticulous shot planning.
McIlroy emphasizes the importance of patience and a positive attitude for success at this year's US Open, given Oakmont's formidable challenges.