The final question posed to Rory McIlroy before he headed out to the Pinehurst No. 2 course to play his first practice round for the U.S. Open on Tuesday seemed more befitting a player in end of career than a golfer ranked third in the world.
Are there still goals McIlroy wants to accomplish?
His response was exactly the opposite of what one would expect: “Not particularly,” he replied.
“I’m really proud of my work over the last 15 years and everything I’ve accomplished,” he continued. Whether season titles, individual tournaments or major tournaments. Obviously, getting my hands on a fifth major title takes some time, but I’m more confident than ever that I’ll get there. »
This fifth major title, of course. McIlroy is still a fierce competitor and if there is a list of goals, this title could top it.
At 35, the Northern Irishman has come close to getting it time and time again over the seasons. Yet McIlroy’s continued failure to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, coupled with a tie for 12th place at the PGA Championship last month, has extended the major tournament drought to a full decade .
McIlroy came even closer at the U.S. Open last year.
He was in the penultimate group on Sunday and was only one shot behind Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler. McIlroy birdied the first hole to lead the charge at the Los Angeles Golf Club, but after 16 pars and a bogey, he watched Clark beat him by a single stroke after two-putting the 18th flag.
It was McIlroy’s fifth straight top-10 at the U.S. Open and the third time he finished second since his last major victory at the PGA Championship in 2014.
“I want to win as many golf tournaments as possible,” said McIlroy, who won the Zurich Classic with Shane Lowry in April and recorded a fourth title at the Wells Fargo tournament last month. I want to try to compete and win as many major tournaments as possible. »
It could stop at four. But it could also climb to five by the end of the week.
“I think trying to hit a particular number sets you up for failure and disappointment,” McIlroy said. Tiger Woods wanted to surpass Jack Nicklaus and it looks like he won’t, but are we going to call Tiger’s career a failure? Absolutely not. If someone had told me at 20 that I would be here at 35 with the career I have, I wouldn’t have believed them. »
Indeed, McIlroy is not lacking in confidence as he prepares to play alongside the only two people ranked ahead of him in the world – Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele – in a group of star players, Thursday and Friday.
McIlroy hasn’t finished lower than 15th in his last five starts.