McIlroy win could be springboard

RORY McILROY has targeted more major titles after his surprise victory in the BMW PGA Championship, although he admits he is completely in the dark about next month’s US Open venue.

McIlroy had missed the cut in his last two appearances in the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth and began the week by announcing he had called off his wedding to Caroline Wozniacki.

A fter turning off his phone and giving away his laptop, McIlroy sought sanctuary inside the ropes and pulled off a remarkable first professional victory on European soil with a closing round of 66 on Sunday.

That lifted him from 10th to sixth in the latest world rankings and boosted his confidence ahead of the year’s second major at Pinehurst from June 12-15.

“I think the win at the end of last year in A ustralia stopped all the questions about equipment and about struggling and a slump,” the former world No 1 said.

“I think this victory here, against a great field, one of the best fields of the year, sort of cements that and shows where my game is and that I’m on the right track again.

“Hopefully it won’t be long before I’m contending in majors and having a chance to win those again.”

McIlroy was a 16-yearold amateur when New Z e a l a n d ’s Michael Campbell won the last US Open staged at Pinehurst in 2005 although the North Carolina course has since been restored to how it was intended to play after Donald Ross altered his original design in 1935.

“I can only go on what I’ve read and what I’ve heard about Pinehurst because I’ve never been there,” added McIlroy.

“No rough for a US Open is going to be very different. I hear it’s going to be a long, long golf course (7,562 yards), which I’m looking forward to. Getting driver in the hand and a long golf course would suit me.

“Obviously the greens are very tricky at Pinehurst, a lot of run-offs and slopes.

“Even without seeing the golf course, I don’t think it’s going to be a course that’s going to suit one type of player or another. You’re obviously going to have to be pretty long off the tee but most guys are these days.”

McIlroy also revealed he had spoken to Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley ahead of his third round at Wentworth, adding: “I was speaking to Paul, just talking about pairings and what he’s thinking.

“It sounded like the way he was talking, even without this win, like I was going to be on the team. I’m looking forward to it.”

A fter finishing seventh at Wentworth, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson has climbed to second in the world rankings.

A ustralian A dam Scott could have lost top spot after just a week if he had finished outside the top 13 in the Crowne Plaza Invitational but ended up beating Jason Dufner in a play-off at Colonial.