Rory McIlroy doesn’t think he needs ’10’ U.S. Open practice rounds
USGA executive director Mike Davis said that any player who intends to win the U.S. Open in June at Chambers Bay needs to put in some 10 practice rounds to understand the Robert Trent Jones Jr. design.
To borrow a phrase, ain’t no pro got time for that.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who won the Wells Fargo Championship by seven shots on Sunday, won’t be able to put in that kind of time in the Washington state venue. After he surpassed Anthony Kim’s old tournament record at Quail Hollow by five shots, he hopped a jet for England and the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship. Then he has the Irish Open, which he is hosting. Then it’s time for the U.S. Open.
Perhaps, then, McIlroy was a bit crass when asked about his Open preparation in the context of Davis’ caution.
“What’s Mike Davis’ handicap?” McIlroy asked in retort at his post-victory news conference in Charlotte.
Well, then.
“With the way the Tour is, no one is going to go out there and play ten practice rounds,” McIlroy expounded.
However, that doesn’t mean McIlroy is just going to stroll onto Chambers Bay on championship week site unseen.
“I’m going to go up a little early,” he said. “I’m going to play a couple practice rounds the weekend before and then I’ll probably play another, you know, 18 holes. So I’ll play three practice rounds.”
McIlroy, who is in the midst of a busy stretch of golf, is trying to not wear himself out before the year’s second major. Given his worldwide results this year, including two wins in his last three starts, McIlroy is comfortable with how he prepares for any tournament.
“If you don’t go out there and execute the shots on the week, all that preparation doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “So, I’d much rather have my game in good shape going in there and play practice rounds the way I usually would. I think that will do well for me.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
