In a week when the United States Golf Association will inevitably be in need of allies, a high-profile one arrived in the shape of Rory McIlroy. The world No2 hit back at those fellow US Open competitors who have complained about the rough at Erin Hills – Kevin Na labelled it “unplayable” – by insisting the margins for error remain perfectly fair.
As McIlroy was speaking, the USGA was overseeing the cutting back of dense, tall rough in only a few areas of the course. News of that triggered a rueful smile from the Northern Irishman, who will go in pursuit of a fifth major title from Thursday, and saw little need for such an adjustment.
“We have 60 yards from left line to right line,” he explained. “You’ve got 156 of the best players in the world here. If we can’t hit it within that avenue, you might as well pack your bags and go home. These are the widest fairways we’ve ever played in a US Open. Even the first and second cut of rough is another 10 yards on top of that.
“I get that it’s thick and whatever, but it’s a hazard. If you put red hazard lines right along that people wouldn’t complain. It’s a US Open, it’s supposed to be a tough test. And if guys can’t put it into play within a 50-yard zone I don’t think they’ve got much to complain about.”
McIlroy’s sentiments stem in part from a desire not to let the Wisconsin course, which is hosting its first US Open, spook him in advance of the serious business getting under way. “This is one of those tournaments that if you let it get into your head, you’re already defeated before your tee off,” the 2011 champion added. “And there have been a couple of times where I have let it get in my head; 2015 at Chambers Bay, even though I made a bit of a go of it [he tied ninth], I was a little bit disillusioned along with some other guys with the way the course was. If you let it get into your head you really have no chance.
“That’s why I feel like some of the players this week, the rough’s already got into their heads. That’s not the way you want to start off. You want to start off with positivity and a positive frame of mind. That’s the way I’m trying to approach it this week.”
This event marks McIlroy’s first competitive appearance since the Players Championship in early May. A rib problem has disrupted his year, albeit the Northern Irishman believes the changes to his practice regime as dictated by that injury might be a blessing in disguise. “There are no limitations on my swing whatsoever,” he said. “Preparation-wise, instead of hitting five bags of balls, I’ll hit two, just something like that. It’s not as if I can’t hit balls, it’s just a matter of managing how many repetitions.
“It’s at the point in the year, as well, where you don’t need to be practising that much. You want to go out and play. You figure stuff out on the golf course more than on the range sometimes, anyway, and it’s let me concentrate a bit more on my short game. Obviously I haven’t had many tournament rounds. But at the same time I’m coming in fresh to this part of the season. I don’t feel like my body is limiting me from doing what I want to do out there.”
McIlroy also confirmed he will now participate in next month’s Scottish Open at Dundonald as part of his buildup to the Open Championship. That move is even more admirable given the undercurrent of the Scottish and Irish Opens jostling for prominence; the world No2’s charity foundation now hosts the latter.
