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With the third major of the year fast approaching, the chances of Rory McIlroy ending his nine-year wait for a major golf tournament are rapidly slipping away. With that being said, he goes into the 2023 US Open with a renewed sense of hope following some better performances in recent weeks.
This tournament is also one that holds a special place in McIlroy’s heart. It was at this event that he broke his major duck way back in 2011 at Congressional Country Club in Maryland. Fresh from his capitulation at the 2011 Masters, McIlroy bounced into the US Open with a point to prove and blew the rest of the field away, eventually winning by three shots.
This time around, he once again approaches the US Open after disappointment at the Masters and with a point to prove. Now all of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf drama is seemingly at an end, McIlroy might finally be able to fully focus on his performances on the golf course which could lead him to major number five. Could it happen this week? Let’s take a look at his chances.
Rory McIlroy’s form this season
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At the very start of the season, way back in September 2022, McIlroy was flying and ended the year as the world number one. He won the CJ Cup in October and then won the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour in January which cemented his status as the best golfer in the world ahead of a huge year of golf.
Unfortunately for the Northern Irishman, his form deserted him at the worst possible time which resulted in a horror performance at the Masters. McIlroy missed the cut and took some off to regroup after what was an incredibly disappointing couple of months.
The PGA Championship last month seemed to be another turning point for McIlroyd, however, this time it was in a positive direction. He ended up finishing in a tie for second at Oak Hill and then followed that up with a solid outing at the Canadian Open last weekend where he was in contention across all four rounds.
Best result
Victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in January.
Last result
Tied for 9th at the Canadian Open.
Rory McIlroy’s US Open record
Rory McIlroy has an impressive record at the US Open and will probably feel as if he should have won it on more than one occasion given the number of times he has been in contention since his victory in 2011.
He has finished inside the top ten on each of his last four appearances in the event which suggests his game is well suited to the challenging setups associated with the tournament. Last year, if it wasn’t for a sloppy third round of 73 then the Northern Irishman likely would have won the event. In the end, he had to settle for a tie for 5th.
The 32-year-old hasn’t been immaculate at the event, though, and has missed the cut on five occasions. Between 2016-2018, the world number three endured a particularly barren spell at the US Open, missing the cut on three consecutive occasions.
Rory McIlroy’s golf swing through the years:
2009 😍
2010 😍
2011 😍
2012 😍
2013 😍
2014 😍
2015 😍
2016 😍
2017 😍
2018 😍
2019 😍 pic.twitter.com/yHTt5y1AuN— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2019
Odds on Rory McIlroy to win the US Open
Although McIlroy isn’t the outright favourite going into the event, he is still well-fancied among UK bookmakers. At 12/1, he is among the favourites for the event which is fair enough considering his upturn in fortunes over the past month or so.
Overall, McIlroy is the fourth favourite to win the event as things stand, behind Brooks Koepka (11/1), Jon Rahm (9/1) and Scottie Scheffler (6/1).
Who is McIlroy playing with at the US Open?
After the recent news of the PGA Tour/LIV Golf merger, tournament organisers haven’t shied away from throwing McIlroy into a controversial grouping over days one and two at the event. Playing alongside the Northern Irishman over the opening two days at Los Angeles Country Club will be PGA Championship winner, Brooks Koepka, and 2021 Masters champion, Hideki Matsuyama.
The grouping is without doubt the most intriguing star-studded grouping at the event meaning it will most likely garne the most attention from ticket holders and television viewers alike. They have been given a late start on Thursday and an early start on Friday which means all three men will be eyeing an early clubhouse lead at the halfway stage.
First round tee time
- 21:54 UK time
Second round tee time
- 16:24 UK time
Rory Mcilroy Masters Prediction – top 5 finish
This may well have been said on countless occasions over the past nine years, but this week truly could be the week for McIlroy to win major number five. He is in decent form and has spoken openly about the fact that he believes the northern course at LA Country Club suits his game.
Playing alongside Brooks Koepka on days one and two should also help McIlroy too as the American will force him to play at a high pace and high level. Don’t rule out the prospect of the two of them playing alongside each other in all four rounds.
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