once again came up short in his quest for a fifth major title and Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley has been speaking about his chances at the upcoming US Open.
McIlroy had started the tournament at Valhalla well but faded away as Xander Schauffele came out on top at the PGA Championship.
PGA Championship.
For McIlroy, it wasn’t like he had a particularly bad week. He still finished in a tie for 12th and carded an impressive enough -12 over the four days. But it wasn’t enough to be anywhere near the leaders, with Schauffele winning on -21 and Bryson DeChambeau just one shot back.
Next up in terms of the majors for McIlroy is a trip to Pinehurst to compete in the US Open.
Of course, this is a tournament McIlroy has won in the past but the venue this time could prove tricky, with Pinehurst known for being a tough course to plot your way around.
And speaking about McIlroy’s suitably for Pinehurst, Wayne Riley has questioned whether this is Rory’s best chance.
Wayne Riley shares his thoughts on how Rory McIlroy will do in the US Open at Pinehurst
Speaking on Sky Sports last night in the immediate aftermath of the PGA Championship finishing, Riley hinted that Pinehurst might not be for McIlroy.
“It’s so hard to put your finger on what is going on with Rory McIlroy in the respect of majors right now,” Riley said.
“What are we? 10 years. Who would have said that when he won his fourth and then has stopped. I don’t know. I think he really has to improve the wedge play. These guys are really good, you have Scottie Scheffler, what happened this week, he would have been there one would have thought. Xander.
There’s so many great players in the world right now. And Rory McIlroy, his time will come. Let’s hope.
“We are going to Pinehurst for the US Open. They say that is so very narrow and so very fast. Will that suit Rory McIlroy? I’m not so sure.”
McIlroy has to keep chipping away
There has been real signs of life in McIlroy’s game in recent times.
Wins at The Zurich with good friend Shane Lowry and then the dominant showing at the Wells Fargo show that he isn’t far away from winning big again.
Indeed, 12th this weekend is hardly a huge disappointment.
The issue, as Riley says, is that there are just so many good golfers out there right now that when McIlroy does have a slightly off day, he’s getting punished and left behind.
Ultimately, he has to just keep going. This week was understandable given the off-course issues he’s dealing with right now.
But in terms of on the course, he can’t get too down and he isn’t far off it.
Like any major championship, there were some disappointing performances from some of the game’s biggest names. Yet, on the flip side, several unfancied players have demonstrated their credentials ahead of the U.S. Open at the notoriously tricky Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
Here, The Golfing Gazette takes a look at three names who are now firmly in contention for the year’s third and most challenging major.
The curious case of Viktor Hovland’s downward spiral has been the talk of the golfing world in recent months. The 2023 FedEx Cup champion appeared to have the world in his hands after his Tour Championship victory at East Lake.
However, multiple swing and coach changes have seen the Norwegian struggle for form. The 26-year-old finished T62 at The Players Championship and missed the cut at The Masters.
Valhalla, however, has appeared to be a turning point.
The Norwegian finished on 18-under-par and produced three consecutive rounds of 66. After reuniting with his former coach, Joseph Mayo, Hovland is one to watch ahead of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.
