McIlroy’s misery continued in last month’s U.S Open where he agonisingly finished second – one shot behind American Bryson DeChambeau – after bogeying three of his last four holes.
The pain of that loss took McIlroy a few days to process but, as he prepares for Thursday’s opening round, he is feeling no added pressure in his quest to claim a fifth career major.
“I know that I’m in a good spot,” the Northern Irish world No.2 said on Tuesday after playing his first practice round of the week.
“If I think about 2015 through 2020, that five-year stretch, I seldom had a realistic chance to win a major championship in that five-year period. So I’d much rather have these close calls. It means that I’m getting closer.”
McIlroy, who has not won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship, spoke about how he dealt with the U.S Open.
“I went from being very disappointed and dejected to trying to focus on the positives to then wanting to learn from the negatives and then getting to the point where you become enthusiastic and motivated to go again,” said the 35-year-old.
Rory McIlroy has had a plethora of near-misses at the majors over the last five years. PHOTO: Getty Images.
“It’s funny how your mindset can go from ‘I don’t want to see a golf course for a month’ to four days later being ‘I can’t wait to get another shot at it.’ When that disappointment turns to motivation, that’s when it’s time to go again.”
The Open is the oldest of the four majors and often the most unpredictable, given the vagaries of the weather and the fickle nature of links golf.
This year’s championship, the 152nd edition, promises to be wide open with a host of players looming as genuine contenders.
American world No.1 and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, seeking his third major title, always seems to be in contention.
“I’m excited,” said Scheffler, who has won six times on the PGA Tour this year in 15 starts.
“Excited to be back over here this year, and excited for the week. I think the golf course is great. We should get some good wind this week … which increases the challenge of this golf course. It should be fun.”
Ninth-ranked DeChambeau has played better than anyone in this year’s majors, having tied for sixth at the Masters and finished second at the PGA Championship before winning his second U.S Open crown last month.
Bryson Dechambeau is chasing two major wins in a row at Troon. PHOTO: Getty Images.
“I’m very confident, obviously,” said DeChambeau. “It all depends if I’m striking it well. I can come in here with the most confidence, obviously, off of a major championship win. Played decent last week, as well.
“I know how to get the job done. It’s just a matter of if I’m as consistent as I was at the U.S Open last month and a few other venues as well. If I can play the golf that I have been, I think I’ll give myself a great chance.”
Other likely contenders include PGA Championship winner and world No.3 Xander Schauffele, fourth-ranked Swede Ludvig Aberg, 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa and twice major winner Jon Rahm.
Cam Smith, who won the 2022 Open, Min Woo Lee and Scottish Open runner-up Adam Scott headline a six-strong Australian challenge.
Royal Troon, situated next to the Irish Sea, will provide a tough test. The Ayrshire layout has one of the most difficult closing stretches in championship golf, and eight of the last nine holes play into the prevailing wind.
