Rory Mcllory has a Major Elephant he must address

No matter the perspective, the elephant in the room remains: Rory McIlroy’s elusive quest for a fifth Major championship. Ten years have passed since he last won a Major, with time stretching into a decade-long barren spell. This year’s US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 offers another chance for the Northern Irishman, who has competed in 36 Majors since his 2014 victory at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy has had several close calls, including last year’s US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club and the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. However, the USGA’s challenging setups, especially at Pinehurst with its firm and fast conditions, demand a unique approach, testing every aspect of a player’s game. This year’s venue, devoid of the typical heavy rough, will require McIlroy to adapt his mindset and shot-making strategy.

Despite the pressure, McIlroy’s pursuit of a Major title doesn’t carry the same baggage as his annual quest for a green jacket at the Masters. Nevertheless, the prolonged drought has undoubtedly taken a mental toll on him. Since his only US Open victory at Congressional in 2011, McIlroy has faced mixed results, including a streak of missed cuts from 2016 to 2018. However, he has achieved top-10 finishes in each of the last four US Opens, narrowly missing victory last year.

Paul McGinley, a respected golf analyst and advisor for the Ryder Cup, believes McIlroy is a better player now than a decade ago, despite concerns about his mental scars and the challenging conditions at Pinehurst. McGinley praises McIlroy’s chipping and putting, essential skills for Pinehurst’s layout. He argues that while McIlroy’s overall game has improved, the mental hurdle of not winning a Major in ten years remains a significant barrier.

McGinley compares McIlroy’s situation to Real Madrid’s innate confidence in winning Champions League finals. McIlroy, despite his immense talent, lacks the certainty in Majors that long-term winners possess. The doubt that has crept in over the past decade has become his biggest obstacle, overshadowing his technical prowess.

McIlroy is driven to surpass Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo in Major victories, aiming to cement his legacy in golf. McGinley, who has an influential role in the Ryder Cup team, acknowledges McIlroy’s mental strength, pointing to his impressive achievements outside of the Majors over the last ten years. McGinley believes that McIlroy’s lack of recent Major wins is not due to a lack of skill or heart but rather a natural human doubt amplified by a decade without Major success.

Ultimately, the solution lies within McIlroy. A breakthrough victory could dispel the doubts and potentially lead to a series of wins, akin to a goal-scorer rediscovering their form. McGinley is confident that once McIlroy secures another Major, the floodgates will open, reinforcing his belief that McIlroy is the best player of his era.