Defiant McIlroy targeting USPGA glory to erase his Major disappointment
RORY McILROY rued a lost opportunity at Royal Birkdale – then immediately set his sights on USPGA Championship glory.
The former world No.1 finished The Open tied fourth after battling back from a dismal start.
McIlroy lamented a miserable Thursday afternoon that dropped him out of contention before he got going in Southport.
But the 28-year-old, who arrived at Birkdale on the back of three missed cuts in four outings, insists he’s ready to challenge for next month’s final Major of the season at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy said: “The PGA is only three weeks away and I’m happy that’s coming quite quickly on the back of this. My game is in much better shape.
“It’s hard whenever you feel like you’ve had a chance to win a Major and you’re not quite there.
“But at the same time, I have to take the positives and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks. I wish I could have had that start back obviously.
“But these things happen and I’m just proud of how I held it together and battled.
“I’ll definitely have a great chance at Akron and the PGA. I’m excited for the next two weeks.
“I haven’t played at Firestone for a couple of
years. The last time I played there I won.
“And I’ve had some good finishes. Quail Hollow, I’ve played well there.
“I’ve shot a couple of course records, had a couple of wins and got beaten in a play-off as well.
“Another couple of Top 10s thrown in there, so I play well at Quail Hollow. I love the golf course. I know they’ve made a few changes but I’ll have some really good vibes going into that week.
“Jack Nicklaus went through a stretch where he didn’t win a Major in three years. I’m not comparing myself to Jack but it’s hard to win them. It’s very hard.
“It’s the reason, especially in this generation excluding Tiger Woods, that no one’s got above five.”
McIlroy had a slight window of opportunity at one stage as winner Jordan Spieth and runner-up Matt Kuchar wobbled at the turn.
However, it was soon taken away again and the Northern Irishman said: “As soon as I started off and I saw what Haotong Li finished at, I wanted to get level with him or at least level with him and get back in the clubhouse at six or seven under.
“I got within four at one point and thought I had a chance to at least scare them a little bit.
“It’s a lost opportunity. I said that on Saturday. I felt like I had a chance to get in a few shots better than I did.
“That would have put me a bit closer to the lead going out on Sunday and maybe I would have been able to put a bit of pressure on the guys in front of me.
“But that’s the way it goes. Now I’ve just got to wait a couple of weeks and try again at Quail Hollow.”