Rory McIlroy has promised to ‘tweak’ some aspects of his game as the golf star prepares to play at the PGA Championship later this week.
McIlroy believes that last month’s major victory at the Masters has taken the weight off his shoulders as he prepares to play in the second major of the year.
The Northern Irishman ended a decade-long wait for a major at Augusta National last month with a thrilling play-off victory over Justin Rose, a feat that made him just the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.
There is no rest for McIlroy, as the major championships come thick and fast during the season, and his focus now turns to the PGA Championship at Quali Hollow, which gets underway on Thursday.
Rory McIlory finished seventh at the Truist Championship
Reuters
The Masters winner has kept a low profile since he won at Augusta, but reappeared to take a T7 finish at last week’s Truist Championship in Philadelphia.
Still brushing off some cobwebs, the 36-year-old believes his game is heading in the right direction ahead of the event at Quali Hollow.
"I think I’m in a good place," McIlroy told reporters after his final round. "I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh.
"Even with what I feel is my bad golf, I’m still there or thereabouts. A couple little improvements and little tweaks, especially going to a place I love like Quail Hollow, and I feel like I’m in a really good spot."
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"I think I’m in a good place," McIlroy told reporters after his final round. "I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh.
"Even with what I feel is my bad golf, I’m still there or thereabouts. A couple little improvements and little tweaks, especially going to a place I love like Quail Hollow, and I feel like I’m in a really good spot."
Quali Hollow has been a good course for McIlory; he has won four times there, including last year at the Wells Fargo Championship.
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Shane Lowry and Rory McIlory will both try for the victory at Quali Hollow this weekend
Reuters
The world No 2 believes that finally completing the Grand Slam will only free him up for more success.
"The weight of expectation does feel lighter,’ he told Sky Sports. "I’m going there after winning my first major in a decade, so I’m going there with everything being there a touch more relaxed.
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"I feel like I wasn’t defending this week, but I’m going back to Quail Hollow, sort of defending after last year, but I’m excited to get there.
"I feel like my game is in good shape and I’m looking forward to having another shot at another major."
While McIlory was not able to claim a win in the Truist Championship, it was Sepp Straka who claimed his second win of the season to move into the world top 10.
Rory McIlory will be aiming to win the PGA Championship this week
Reuters
The Austrian was engaged in a tight final-round battle with Shane Lowry but came out on top after the Irishman made a costly three-putt on the 72nd hole.
It proved another positive week from Luke Donald’s perspective, with Straka and Lowry just two of many European players showing form ahead of the Ryder Cup in September.
The PGA Championship at Quali Hollow tees off on Thursday, May 15, where McIlory, Straka, and Lowry will all do battle.
