A resilient Rory McIlroy believes he has the desire to end his nine-year wait for a major championship after an impressive opening two rounds at the US Open in Los Angeles
The focus on McIlroy has been on his work away from the golf course in recent months, amid the battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The biggest chapter in the saga came just last week, after the rival circuits shocked the world of golf by signing a merger agreement alongside the DP World Tour, seemingly putting an end to their bitter civil war.
Whilst he has been quick to comment on every twist and turn over the past 12 months, McIlroy has remained out of the limelight over the past week, clearly keen to focus on the task at hand on the course, after an initial press conference at the Canadian Open.
And his radio silence has clearly worked, as he sits in a tie for third at eight-under-par, three shots behind tournament leader Rickie Fowler heading into the weekend. McIlroy followed up his opening round five-under 65, by shooting a three-under 67 on day two to keep him right in the mix.
It seems as every major championship comes and goes, the pressure continues to rise on the Northern Irishman, who is without one of golf's top prizes since 2014. His active role in the Tour's dispute with LIV has only heightened this, but McIlroy seems more determined than ever in LA this week.
Finally ending his absence from the media, McIlroy discussed his chances post-second round and the four-time major champion is not lacking confidence. "I mean, I started thinking about winning this thing when I came here on Monday. I've already done that," he said.
Keen to end his major drought, he went on: "No one wants to win another major - no one wants me to win another major more than I do. The desire is obviously there. I've been trying and I've come close over the past nine years or whatever it is, and I keep coming back."
There is no questioning the four-time major winner's talents, with the Northern Irishman the most consistent performer of his generation. The ability to continue to battle at the top despite his major-wait must also be applauded, something McIlroy himself alluded to.
"I feel like I've showed a lot of resilience in my career, a lot of ups and downs, and I keep coming back," the 23-time PGA Tour winner said. "And whether that means that I get rewarded or I get punched in the gut or whatever it is, I'll always keep coming back."
