Rory McIlroy spares no effort on his way to triumph on the 'impossible' course at Oakmont and success at the US Open.
McIlroy is hoping to overcome the hangover from his triumph at the US Masters in April, where he completed an 11-year run of Grand Slam titles by winning all four majors.
It will be tough at Pittsburgh's rugged Oakmont Country Club, known for its challenging courses, especially with the 36-year-old struggling with his driving.
He was not in the field for the US Open, which was last held here in 2016, but was making a strong effort ahead of Thursday's first round.
He played the course last week for reconnaissance purposes but probably regretted it as he scored 81 points and also watched video of Dustin Johnson's win here nine years ago.
“I'm glad we have spotters because I was playing last Monday on a course with Druck (Stanley Druckenmiller member) and you hit the ball out of the fairway and it took you a few minutes just to find it,” he said.
“It's very punishing if you miss. Sometimes it's punishing even if you don't miss. But whoever has the most patience and the best attitude this week is going to win.
“There's definitely been a little rain since I've been playing. Last Monday was impossible. I made birdies on the last two holes for an 81. That was pretty good. It didn't feel like I played that bad.
“It's a lot better now than it was on Monday. They had pins in dangerous places and the greens were moving fast. It was almost impossible.
“If you end up in the fairway, then of course you can play. But then you have to think about leaving the ball below the hole and just trying to make as many pars as possible.
“You become a hindrance to a few birdies, that's a bonus.”
The club's official website calls it “The ultimate test of championship golf,” but it's fair to say that other descriptions of Oakmont have not been so flattering.
Bryson DeChambeau, who beat McIlroy to the title last year, called the course “the toughest golf course in the world right now.”
“You have to hit the fairways, the greens and two-putt – that's the worst-case scenario,” he said.
“When you have those putts within 10 feet, you have to make them. That's the great test of golf.
“I think everyone knows that this is the toughest golf course in the world right now.”
World number three Xander Schauffele believes that viewers will enjoy watching the best players suffer.
“I don't think people turn on the TV to watch some guys just hit 200 yards on the green, you know what I mean?” Schauffele said.
“I think they watch the U.S. Open to see a guy take eight shots and suffer. That's part of the fun of playing the U.S. Open for the spectators.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
