McIlroy fighting to make the cut
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is flirting with the cut at the US Open Championship 2016 after carding an opening round 77 at the Oakmont Country Club.
The world number three resumed his opening round on four-over-par, with five holes to play. After a dismal opening day he had a chance to put things right, but saw his situation go from bad to worse as he bogeyed his final three holes to finish the round seven-over and 11 shots off the lead.
McIlroy has confessed to having issues with his swing, and not having the kind of control needed to do well at Oakmont, saying: "There are scores out there to be had, but you really need to be in control of your golf game, and the last couple days I guess I wasn’t.
“Honestly, I’ve been struggling with my swing, even the practice rounds a little bit. I just … I mean, I know what I’m doing but it’s hard to change it out there.”
The 17th would epitomise McIlroy's struggles as he landed his tee shot in the back greenside bunker, his bunker shot would then roll off the green into the front bunker. The 2011 US Open winner said this of the hole:
“I thought I played a great bunker shot. I didn’t land the ball more than three or four paces on the green. I didn’t even think about putting it in that other bunker.”
McIlroy has struggled off the tee and in his approach play, of his game McIlroy commented:
“I think I hit five fairways and eight green, which obviously isn’t going to do anything."
The four-time major winner is targeting an aggressive start when he tees off his second round on Saturday morning.
“I might just go out there and hit a lot of drivers and try to be as aggressive as I can," he added.
“I might come out here later this afternoon and work on it a little bit and see if I can just hit it a little bit better.
“I don’t think to swing perfect, but I just need to be able to play one shot and know that I know where it’s going to start and I know where it’s going to finish and just try to go from there.
“For me the toughest thing, is just stay positive and not get too down on myself.”
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