Rory McIlroy has revealed he was ‘too worked up’ earlier in the week before his brilliant start to the US Open.
The Northern-Irishman is without a major since 2014, when he won the PGA Championship.
It’s been a decade full of highs and lows for McIlroy, who recently reconciled with wife Erica Stoll after he had previously filed for divorce.
McIlroy hit a bogey-free 65 on the opening day of the US Open on Thursday, with the Briton tied with Patrick Cantlay.
Rory McIlroy has revealed he was ‘too worked up’ earlier in the week before his brilliant start to the US Open.
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And now, speaking after his excellent showing at Pinehurst, McIlroy has admitted he was ‘too worked up’ earlier in the week.
“It’s been good,” he said. “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 five-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 (who shot 62), but it was nice to open up with a low one and feel like you’re right in the tournament from the first day.”
McIlroy secured birdies on two of the last three holes to boost his chances of glory.
And the golf star believes patience and perseverance paid off on day one of the prestigious tournament.
“I could have got a little impatient, but I felt like my patience was rewarded there with birdies on two of the last three holes,” he said.
“It was really nice to finish like that. As I said, a nice bit of momentum going into the morning round tomorrow.”
McIlroy has adopted his game in recent years, with the Briton admitting he’s pleased with the results.
“I think with my demeanour, just trying to be super stoic,” he admitted.
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“I really don’t think I embraced US Open set-ups probably 10 years into my US Open career.
“I 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 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.”
And McIlroy hinted he was eyeing US Open glory while reflecting on his superb start to the proceedings.
Rory McIlroy is tied with Patrick Cantlay going into day two of the US Open
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“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,” he said.
McIlroy added: “The golf course is a little different to what it was last year, but still the same strategy, same mindset.”
Source Agencies
