Rory McIlroy hoping for some short-term memory loss after 81 on practice round at US Open venue Oakmont
RORY MCILROY is banking on a short memory and a timely driver swap to help him survive the brutal challenge of Oakmont at this week's US Open.
The
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Rory McIlroy admitted that he carded an 81 at the tough Oakmont track last week
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Rory McIlroy also revealed he's found a new driver for the season's third major
And he'll be hoping for a far smoother session than his practice trip last Monday.
He revealed that despite a strong finish, that earlier visit saw him shoot 81.
The course is widely regarded as one of the toughest in American golf, especially with punishing rough and narrow fairways.
McIlroy explained: 'There's definitely been a little bit of rain since that Monday. Last Monday felt impossible.
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"I birdied the last two holes for 81. It felt pretty good. It didn't feel like I played that bad.
"It's much more benign right now than it was that Monday. They had the pins in dicey locations, and greens were running at 15 1/2. It was nearly impossible.
'But yeah, this morning it felt - it was a little softer. If you put it in the fairway, it's certainly playable. You get yourself in the way of a few birdies, that's a bonus.'
That was prior to a horror missed cut at the last week's
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But he also pointed to a silver lining after some time at home after the
He said: 'I learned that I wasn't using the right driver.'
US Open release incredible video of army of lawnmowers to tackle rough as stars brand conditions 'unplayable'
He said: 'Every driver sort of has its own character and you're trying to manage the misses.
"I feel like, as the last few weeks go, I learnt a lot on Thursday and Friday last week and did a good bit of practice at home and feel like I'm in a better place with everything going into this week.'
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Asked how much it impacted his play at Quail Hollow without his trusted setup, McIlroy pointed to the eventual champion.
He added: 'It wasn't a big deal for Scottie, so it shouldn't have been a big deal for me.'
He also acknowledged that he's struggled to get back on track after big wins - and reckons he'll need to put that to the back of his mind if he's to compete, after a missed cut on the Oakmont course in 2016.
Speaking to the media from the press room, he admitted that he's readjusting to life post-Grand Slam had taken its taken a mental toll.
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The 36-year-old added: 'I think it's trying to have a little bit of amnesia and forget about what happened six weeks ago.
"Then just trying to find the motivation to go back out there and work as hard as I've been working.'
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