RORY MCILROY IS putting a premium on patience and creativity at the US Open.
The two-time Major champion joins fellow US Open winners Graeme McDowell and Webb Simpson in the first and second rounds at Pinehurst this week.
The North Carolina course offers an unusual scene for a US Open, the normal tight fairways and dense rough replaced by wide fairways and sandy areas with weeds that give players more options and more decisions on how to attack greens that are turtle-backed and lightning quick.
“In the 72 holes I’m hopefully going to play here, I might go at five pins,” McIlroy said. “It’s going to be a test of patience.”
The 25-year-old put himself among the favourites but warned that Aussie Jason Day, a US Open runner-up in 2011 and 2013, is back on form after a left thumb injury.
“There’s a lot of guys that are playing really good golf at the minute — Adam Scott, Bubba Watson,” McIlroy said.
I think this golf course sets up really well for someone like Jason Day, hits it long, hits it high, has a really sharp short game.
“There’s a lot of guys coming in here feeling like they have a great chance to win. I put myself in that category and hopefully I live up to that and I can give myself a chance coming down the stretch on Sunday.”
Former world number one Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the record 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus, will miss his second major in a row after back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve.
Just when he will return is uncertain, but US television ratings took a plunge the past two months with Woods out even as others rose to the spotlight.
“In the absence of Tiger, it let people come through and be more recognised and shine for how good of players they are,” McIlroy said.
I do miss him. He has been the face of golf for the last 15, 20 years and golf is a better sport and a better place with Tiger Woods in it.
“Hopefully, he has a speedy recovery and he gets back on the course soon, because any tournament where Tiger Woods is a factor, he creates a big buzz.”
McIlroy, who split with tennis star fiancee Caroline Wozniacki just ahead of his victory at the European PGA Championship last month, would like to reclaim the top world ranking himself.
“There could be a real tussle at the top for that number one ranking come the end of the summer,” McIlroy said.
“I’ve got a desire to get back to number one in the world… hopefully handle it a little better and keep hold of it a little longer.”
