RORY McILROY says watching the epic duel between Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson at Troon gave him a much-needed “kick up the ass”.
McIlroy started the recent scoring ‘explosion’ in the Majors by winning both the 2011 US Open and the 2012 USPGA by eight shots — and he is ready to start blasting away again at this week’s USPGA Championship.
The world No3 wants to flex his muscles after two years without adding to his four Majors, especially with Open winner Stenson and reigning USPGA champion Jason Day posting record 20-under-par totals.
McIlroy said: “It’s not that long since I won a Major but in the meantime we’ve had Jordan Spieth setting scoring records at Augusta and I’m itching to be a part of it again.
“That final-round battle between Henrik and Phil was some of the greatest golf we’ve seen in the Majors. Watching it from the outside was just the kick up the ass I needed.
“That sort of thing definitely motivates you. How could it do anything else? Watching the other guys setting the bar higher and higher really gets the competitive juices flowing.
“I was in at the start of the recent low-scoring spree and I feel Baltusrol this week is the sort of course where I can excel again.
“It’s my type of course, a bit like Congressional where I won my first Major three years ago. The fact that this one has also been softened up a bit by a thunderstorm early in the week also brings back fond memories of that 2011 US Open.
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“The strength of my game is hitting it long and straight and floating high irons into the greens. That is what you need to go low around here. So I’m really excited about my chances this week.
“I wasn’t entirely happy with my swing at The Open. But since then, I’ve had some great practice sessions with my coach, Michael Bannon, and I’m comfortable with every part of my game.
“I feel one Major victory a year is a realistic target for me over the coming years and after getting four in the bank between 2011 and the end of 2014, it’s time to kick on again.”
McIlroy, 27, has an extra reason for wanting to book a place at the top of the leaderboard by Sunday.
Selected Tee Times
12.40: Ernie Els (SA), Rickie Fowler (US) Zach Johnson (US).
12.50: Vijay Singh (Fij), John Daly (US), Padraig Harrington (Irl).
1.00: Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spa), Justin Thomas (US), Paul Casey.
1.10: Brandt Snedeker (US), Brooks Koepka (US), Lee Westwood.
1.20: Keegan Bradley (US), Jamie Donaldson, Adam Scott (Aus).
1.30: Phil Mickelson (US), Rory McIlroy, Jason Day (Aus).
1.40: Bill Haas (US), Andy Sullivan, Jamie Lovemark (US).
6.05: Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar (US), Danny Lee (NZ).
6.15: Francesco Molinari (Ita), Shane Lowry (Ire), Jim Furyk US).
6.25: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Jordan Spieth (US), Bubba Watson (US).
6.35: Justin Rose, Patrick Reed (US), Charl Schwarzel (SA).
6.45: Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson (US), Henrik Stenson (Swe).
He has tickets to watch fellow Northern Irishman Carl Frampton challenge for his second boxing world title down the road at New York’s Barclays Centre on Saturday night.
McIlroy added: “I’ve never seen Carl fight before and the chance to see him retain his undefeated record and become a double world champion is too good to miss.
“I’ve spoken to his trainer and he’s fixed up tickets for me, so the ideal scenario would be to play myself into the final group for Sunday so I can have a late tee time after watching the fight.
“It could be a memorable weekend for Northern Irish sport — and I’m determined to do my bit.”
