Rory McIlroy prepares for US Open with controversial strategy
Rory McIlroy is once again implementing a controversial preparation strategy as he aims for a seventh major title at the US Open, with his recent visit to Shinnecock Hills eliciting mixed opinions, reports BritPanorama.
The Northern Irish golfer, currently ranked world No 2, sought to familiarise himself with the course conditions ahead of the tournament, echoing his approach leading up to his successful Masters campaign in April. At Augusta, McIlroy faced criticism for using an injury-enforced break to dedicate additional practice time.
His early trip to Shinnecock Hills comes in a year when he ended a long wait for another major title, successfully defending his Green Jacket, an achievement that saw him finish ahead of world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. Despite any criticism from peers regarding his preparation methods, McIlroy stated he was surprised by the reactions they generated.
“It gave me the opportunity to go up to Augusta and prepare maybe more than anyone else in the field,” he remarked during a podcast interview. “Which I actually got a little bit of stick for afterward, which was weird.”
During his visit to Shinnecock, which last hosted the championship in 2018, McIlroy aimed to assess the course’s layout, commenting on the generously built fairways and the rough quality. He indicated that the greens were rolling around 11, 11.2, suggesting they would not need significant speed alterations before the tournament begins.
McIlroy also expressed that maintaining the current green speed could create a fairer test for the players while allowing for challenging hole placements throughout the event. His latest preparations reflect a deliberate adjustment in his approach to tournament participation, following careful selection of events over the past two years.
Since winning the Masters for the first time in 2025, he has opted to limit his tournament engagements to ensure adequate rest and preparation. Short of competing in multiple other PGA Tour events, McIlroy is using the Memorial Tournament as his last competitive outing before the US Open.
He acknowledged that this selective strategy might impact his chances in the race for season-long honours, but he remains steadfast in prioritising his well-being and life outside golf. “Absolutely. But I’m OK with that because it brings balance to my life and lets me enjoy things outside of the game,” he stated.
As McIlroy continues to navigate his path towards another major triumph, the contrasting views on his preparation strategies underscore a broader dialogue within the sport about the evolving balance of competition, well-being, and personal insight.
