Rory McIlroy’s blistering weekend at the RBC Canadian Open landed the Northern Irishman his second victory of the 2018-19 PGA Tour season as well as his 16th career win.
Beyond the accolades that come with winning on the PGA Tour, McIlroy seems to be in top form heading into this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach as the four-time major winner looks to end his majorless drought in California.
However, despite shooting a final-round 9-under par 61 to win by seven strokes, when asked if he wished the U.S. Open started on Monday given his great play over the weekend, McIlroy went in a different direction than the question was undoubtedly trying to lead him.
“No, because I’ll be hungover probably,” he said. “Need a couple days to recover.”
Let the celebration begin. pic.twitter.com/xPMdLlmceK
— Skratch (@Skratch) June 9, 2019
McIlroy definitely deserved a drink after the round of golf he played on Sunday. Beginning the day tied with Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson, McIlroy birdied five of his first seven holes to more or less put the tournament out of reach.
An outgoing 30 combined with four birdies in a row on holes 11-14 had thoughts of 59 dancing through McIlroy’s head.
“I think what I’m proudest of is still playing with that freedom today going out being tied for the lead,” he said after the round. “Just putting my foot down and really making this tournament mine.
“I think by the time I got to the 14th tee I wasn’t really thinking of winning the tournament. I was thinking of trying to shoot 59. I had to reassess my goals a little bit in the middle of that back nine. This is what I feel I can do. I’ve been able to do it before. It was nice to get back to that feeling. It’s been a while since I won by a few shots. “
Now, with Pebble Beach next on his radar, and after a few days to recover from his celebration, McIlroy obviously likes his chances at the U.S. Open.
“I think when you get to the U.S. Open setup it can make you play careful, a little tentative and try to guide it down the fairways,” McIlroy said. “But if I’ve learned anything this week it’s my game is good enough and swing is good enough that I can play with freedom.
“I’m not going to go and hit driver on every hole, but when I pull a club out of the bag I’ll make a really good, committed swing and know for the most part it should work out for me.”
