Pro Golf Now
Fansided

U.S. Open Power Rankings: Top 10 contenders at Shinnecock Hills

By Mike Randleman

The clubhouse during the final round of the 2004 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, June 20, 2004. Scenic Golf (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
The clubhouse during the final round of the 2004 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, June 20, 2004. Scenic Golf (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
PINEHURST, NC – JUNE 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 11th green during the third round of the 114th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Course No. 2 on June 14, 2014 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
PINEHURST, NC – JUNE 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 11th green during the third round of the 114th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Course No. 2 on June 14, 2014 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Rory is flying under the radar a bit these days, but it’s more for an abundance of other big storylines rather than his poor play. At least, that’s my opinion.

The Northern Irishman picked off a much needed win at Bay Hill this spring to headline four top-three finishes in 2018. He also gave himself a great chance to win in Dubai and at the BMW PGA Championship, two of the European Tour’s premier events.

In his last start, McIlroy was T8 at the Memorial and closed strong with rounds of 64-69, tops of anyone on the weekend.

The key for McIlroy at Shinnecock will be off the tee.

"“I feel like I still need to drive the ball a little bit better. And then everything else feels good,” McIlroy said after the Memorial. “I feel like I’ve made some really big strides with wedge play, irons, all that sort of stuff. I feel like I hit a lot of good putts this week that didn’t go in, but made some good putts too. So my game feels pretty good. I just, as long as I can keep the ball in play at Shinnecock, I feel like I’ll have a good chance.”"

McIlroy is in the green in the major strokes gained categories this season on the PGA Tour, checking in at 55th or better in each. His ball striking has remained solid from 2017-18, but his putting has improved from 146th to 55th.

If he avoids the native grass, Rory will have shorter irons than most into these undulating greens. McIlroy is 13th in proximity to the hole and is top 20 in distances inside 150 yards.

Getting off to a good start is key. Hell, just making the cut could be all he needs to worry about. He’s 75th and 181st in scoring average on Thursday and Friday but an impressive fifth and 20th on the weekend.

Home/US Open