Fresh off a successful Masters defence and with renewed clarity around the remainder of his career, Rory McIlroy believes the formula for success at this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club is relatively straightforward.
Speaking ahead of the year’s second major, McIlroy suggested the famed Donald Ross layout won’t demand the kind of intricate driving strategy often associated with major championship golf, instead favouring aggressive play from the tee.
“It's a course where you can be super aggressive off the tee, and then there's a little more strategy and a little more thought going into the greens, McIlroy said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“It's basically bash driver down there and then figure it out from there, which I think is a lot of these newer -- newly renovated -- I think about Oak Hill in 2023, here.
“When these traditional golf courses take a lot of trees out, it makes strategy not as much of a concern off the tee.”
McIlroy was quick to praise other aspects of the course setup, particularly the greens and restored bunkering, which he expects to provide the tournament’s primary defence.
“The greens are the main focus this week, and I think getting yourself in the right sections of the greens, making sure you leave yourself below the hole for the most part. That's the key this week,” he admits.
“There's not a lot of volatility there in his life and in his game, and I think that sets him up so well for the future.” - Rory McIlroy on Scottie Scheffler.
The Northern Irishman spent extra time preparing for Aronimink, even making an advance scouting trip weeks before the championship after limiting his tournament schedule following Augusta. It is a preparation method he believes has served him well throughout his career.
“It certainly has benefited me over the years. I remember the first time I did it for a major championship was Congressional in 2011 on the back of a recommendation from Jack Nicklaus.
“So, it's helped me over the years.
“Some majors, I haven't gone to the tournament site ahead of schedule, and I've done well, but for the most part, when I have made an advanced trip, it's worked out well for me.”
McIlroy arrives at Aronimink in a markedly different headspace to 12 months ago. The six-time major champion admitted he spent much of last season wrestling with his motivation and future direction in the game.
“I feel like I’ve got some nice, clear road ahead to try to get some more of these majors,” he said.
That renewed hunger, combined with a golf course that appears tailor-made for his power game, has installed McIlroy among the clear favourites alongside world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, a player he had immense praise for ahead of the second major of the year.
“It's his relentlessness. It's his -- the comfort in which he does the same things over and over. It's the little -- it's not flashy, but he dots his Is and crosses his Ts and does all the right things,” McIlroy said.
“It's that relentless pursuit of the process and not just letting the outcome happen.
“I think his faith has a big part to do with how comfortable he is with doing that because he accepts whatever happens, whatever comes his way, and he moves on.
“There's not a lot of volatility there in his life and in his game, and I think that sets him up so well for the future.”
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