5/28/2014

McIlroy Targets More Majors

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Rory McIlroy arrives at The memorial with a new found confidence knowing that a major lurks just around the corner having won the US Open at Congressional in 2011. Then matched it with the Wannamaker Trophy a year later at Kiawah Island, making the visit to Pinehurst in a couple weeks a chance to banish the demons of of last season.
 
Consequently Rory has targeted two major victories this season to make up for his winless year in 2013.

The Northern Irishman keen to make up for lost time following a slump in form last year that saw him fall from world No.1 to outside the top 10.

"My game is really coming back," he said. "I won a major in 2011 and 2012 but last year, so I'll try to make up for that with two this year."

McIlroy's victory at Wentworth, just days after announcing his break-up to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, surprised even the man himself. But now, he admits, it is time to look forward.

"I knew I was playing well going into the BMW," he said. "I'd finished in the top 10 four times in a row just before this - including the Masters and at Sawgrass - so I knew I wasn't far off my best.

"Top 10s are great but not what I'm looking for.

"The last couple of years I came to Wentworth struggling with my game and getting frustrated. So going there in good form, I was excited.

"Winning does my confidence the world of good, knowing that I can get the job done under pressure and when I need to. That was the most pleasing thing about the win.

"The win in Australia at the end of last year stopped all the questions about reasons behind my form, such as equipment and all that stuff.

"This victory, against one of the best fields of the year, just shows my game is back on track again. Hopefully it won't be long before I'm contending in majors again and it validates all the hard work I've put in this past year."

McIlroy's will not have to wait long for his next shot at a major, with the US Open starting at Pinehurst on June 12.

"I've never been there, but I hear there is going to be no rough and that, for a US Open, is going to be very different," he said.

"I don't think it will be a course that suits one player or another. You'll need to be long - but most players these days can get it out there and it'll suit me to get my driver in my hands.

"It's all about the second shot. Obviously the greens are very tricky at Pinehurst with a lot of run-offs and slopes, and you'll have to be very imaginative around them. Some guys will try and bump it into hills and run it up, while others will try and fly it to the top. It's going to be very interesting.

Earlier in the year, McIlroy claimed that golf needs a player to push on and take Tiger Woods' mantle as the dominant player in the game. A comment he stands by.

"I would like to be that guy," he added. "I like to think my win at Wentworth is a springboard to do just that.

"There are still three majors to play this year and a lot of big tournaments to win. Even though we are halfway through the season, I feel like mine is just beginning."



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Lowry Hopes to Master Nordea

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Shane Lowry hopes to cap his return to form with victory in this week's Nordea Masters in Sweden.

The Northern Irishman feels he has rediscovered his touch, as well as feeling much better mentally, over the last couple of weeks.

He finished 15th at the Spanish Open a fortnight ago and improved on that with second place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week before securing a place at the US Open in qualifying at Walton Heath.

"I am in a decent frame of mind as I've been playing quite well over the last few weeks," said Lowry, whose last win came in the 2012 Portugal Masters.

"I was struggling a lot and managed to find something at the Spanish Open and brought it into Wentworth and I really enjoyed it there and played well at Walton Heath on Monday.

"I feel I am mentally back to where I am when I am playing my best. I am switched on and nothing seems to faze me when I'm like this.

"With my finish last week and qualifying Monday I've definitely got two of the next three majors and hopefully the Open as well, in addition to the Irish Open.

"But tomorrow is a new tournament. I know I have done well last week and Monday but everyone is standing on the first tee tomorrow with the shame chance of winning."
Strong field

But he faces a strong field which includes new world No 2 Henrik Stenson, who is returning to the event on home soil for the first time since 2011.

"I've not played in this tournament for a few years so I'm seeing a lot of people who I haven't seen for a while," Stenson said.

"It's always great to catch up with them and I am really feeling the support. There are going to be a lot of people coming to watch - unless it stays cold.

"When you start moaning about the rain in England I suppose I deserve to get it back here. I never felt it this cold at the start of the summer - it can't get any colder otherwise it will snow!

"It would be great to win this week. I came very close in 2005 when I lost in a play-off when Mark Hensby drained a 30ft putt on the last to force a play-off and won on the second play-off hole.

"At that point it was very hard to take and it took a week or two for me to get over that. It would be nice to get revenge after being so close."


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