Rory McIlroy will enjoy “second home” advantage when he bids to end his Major drought at the US PGA in rainy Rochester this week.
The Ulsterman’s wife Erica is from the city in upstate New York and the world No.3 is a member of Oak Hill Country Club. This local knowledge will be needed for McIlroy who won his fourth and last Major at the 2014 US PGA and is struggling for form.
The Ulsterman, who married Erica in 2017 after she famously arranged a police escort to get him to the first tee in time at the 2012 Ryder Cup, said: “I am excited to go back to Oak Hill. From the last time, I was there or we were all there my connection to Rochester's got a lot stronger.
"So I'm excited to go and play a Major championship in what feels like almost a second home to me."
In his last three strokeplay events, McIlroy missed the cut at The Players Championship and the Masters and finished tied 47th at Quail Hollow - a venue where he has won three times.
He also sacrificed $3m from his PIP bonus to skip the elevated event at the RBC Heritage the week after his latest failure to complete his career Grand Slam at Augusta.
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“My mind wouldn't have been at the event,” McIlroy said. “It was more important for me to be at home than there.”
The Oak Hill East Course, created by Donald Ross in 1901, has been re-designed since Jason Dufner won in 2013. There are three new holes while trees have been removed and bunkers made steepers
“I think the renovation has hopefully restored the East Course back to its former glory, I would say,” added McIlroy. “I'm just hoping for a good weather week. I think that's what everyone's hoping for up there in May.”
The PGA of America announced in 2017 that their Major was shifting from August to May - a decision which will rule out northern courses in future. But Oak Hill had already been booked for 2023 and rain and cool temperatures are forecast this week though this is better than the 45 inches of snow over the winter.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler said: “I've never played Oak Hill. I've been to Rochester once before for an amateur tournament, and it was in June. And I remember it was really cold.”
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