It has been over a decade since Rory McIlroy claimed victory at the US Open! The only U.S. Open win of the Northern Irishman came in 2011 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he finished with a commanding eight-stroke lead, posting a score of 268, 16-under-par. Even after winning the US Open once, surprisingly, the professional golfer never fully embraced the tournament for years. What could be the reasons behind this?

At present, at the 124th edition of the U.S. Open, McIlroy completed his first round with a score of 65, finishing 5-under-par and tying for T1 with Patrick Cantlay. Later, during the post-match press conference, the pro was asked about his experience and thoughts about the tournament over the years, “You referenced again that stretch of U.S. Opens where you didn’t have it going so well. Were you not embracing what the U.S. Open is during those years, and what finally got you back on track?”

Highlighting the previous championships, McIlroy revealed, “No, I didn’t. If you look at the U.S. Open that I did win in ’11, it was more like a PGA Championship rather than a U.S. Open, typical U.S. Open setup.” He pointed out that 2011 didn’t meet his expectations, as the tournament felt too conventional.

However, the golfer went on to elaborate about the 2019 US Open, stating further, “I really don’t think I embraced U.S. Open setups probably 10 years into my U.S. Open career. Played my first one in ’09, and I think I really changed my mindset around them in 2019, that one in Pebble, and then since then I’ve — I’ve also started to enjoy this style of golf a lot more.”

Possibly hinting at the evolution over the years, both the course and the tournament have seen significant changes aimed at pushing the limits for the world’s top golfers. Since 2019, Rory McIlroy’s perspective on the tournament has transformed significantly. He has begun to embrace the event, acknowledging, “It’s a lot different than the golf that we play week in, week out.”

Over time, the 35-year-old has come to appreciate golf course architecture more. He now reads more about it and describes himself as “becoming more of a student of the game again,” understanding why golf course architects design courses in specific ways. Now that the four-time major champion has begun to embrace the US Open, does he have any specific plans for the weekend ahead? Indeed, he does!

What are Rory McIlroy’s plans for this US Open?

After the opening round, it became very clear that Pinehurst No. 2 would not be the easiest course to navigate through. The greens on the course this time are challenging with their bowl-like shapes. Moreover, Pinehurst No. 2 also demands a strategic approach due to its unique design, featuring slopes that descend in multiple directions.

McIlroy’s thoughtful approach to his game extends to nearly every aspect, especially when navigating the greens. This was evident when he was asked, “Is there a specific theme for this week that you’ve returned to mentally to reorient yourself?” The Northern Irishman has time and again adopted new techniques and equipment to enhance his game. But this time around, the student of golf has a bit different approach when it comes to his strategy. “Yeah, I think just super conservative with my strategy and my game. I think with my demeanor, just trying to be super stoic. Just trying to be as even-keeled as I possibly can be.

McIlroy made his U.S. Open debut back in 2009, and over the 15 appearances he has made at the event, the golfer has undoubtedly gained valuable insights into what works for him and what does not., “I really feel like that’s the thing that has served me well in these U.S. Opens over the past few years.” He ended his answer in a rather optimistic tone: Just trying to be 100 percent committed to the shots and 100 percent committed to having a good attitude.” Do you believe this approach will lead McIlroy to victory this week? Share your thoughts in the comments!