Everything Rory McIlroy Said In His 2024 US Open Press Conference

“AS CLOSE AS I’VE EVER BEEN”

That’s all from McIlroy this afternoon. He is off for his first look at the 2024 edition of Pinehurst No.2, where he hopes to add that elusive fifth Major…

MCILROY ON CAREER GOALS

McIlroy finishes by insisting he does not have any specific number in mind when it comes to end goals for his career, but did concede that he wants to become the most successful European golfer of all time, if possible. Knows he still has some way to go to do that in terms of Majors, but McIlroy said he will still be extremely proud of his “body of work” whatever happens given he was just a little boy from Northern Ireland who always dreamed of becoming a professional golfer growing up.

THE TEST HERE AT PINEHURST

Yeah, because it gives you options and it gives you, like, even going back to last week at Memorial, people hit it offline or people hit a green, you’re basically only seeing players hit one shot. There’s only one option. That turns into it being somewhat one-dimensional and honestly not very exciting.

I think a course like this definitely demands a different skill set and also some creativity. I think that will be on display this week. I’ve already seen some videos online of people maybe trying fairway woods or having lob wedges or putters. Even if you get half lucky and get a decent lie in that wire grass, sandy area, being able to hit a recovery shot.

I think for the viewer at home, that’s more exciting than seeing guys hack out of four-inch rough all the time. Hopefully that comes to fruition and it is an exciting golf tournament.

PROCESS OF DEALING WITH DEFEAT LAST YEAR

I won my next start after LACC at the Scottish Open. Wasn’t quite able to emulate that at the Open. I’ve played enough golf tournaments over my career that once it’s done, it’s done. You leave it in the past. You try to learn from whatever happened that given week.

The good thing about golf in particular is there’s always the next week, always an opportunity to get back up on the horse and try again.

MCILROY ON SCHEFFLER

I’ve never been on a run like this!

The fact that the only thing that took him from winning a golf tournament was going into a jail cell for an hour (laughter).

I think just…