TORONTO — World number two Rory McIlroy has admitted he is "concerned" about his form heading into next week's US Open after struggling with his driver during the Canadian Open, where he finished tied for fourth. The Northern Irishman, a four-time major champion, has been vocal about his frustrations with his driving accuracy, a critical component of his game ahead of the challenging Pinehurst No. 2 course.
McIlroy, who won the Canadian Open in 2019 and 2022, carded a final-round 68 but lamented his inconsistency off the tee, hitting just 50% of fairways during the tournament. "I’m not where I want to be with the driver," McIlroy said. "It’s a concern, especially with Pinehurst coming up. You need to be in the fairway there, or you’re in trouble."
Struggles Off the Tee
McIlroy’s driving woes have been a recurring theme this season. Despite ranking third on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, his accuracy has dipped significantly. At the Canadian Open, his misses were often costly, leading to difficult recovery shots and limiting his ability to attack pins. Key stats from the week:
- Fairways hit: 50% (ranked 56th in the field)
- Strokes gained off the tee: +1.2 (still elite, but below his usual standard)
- Left misses: 60% (highlighting a persistent two-way miss)
McIlroy’s coach, Michael Bannon, was seen working extensively with him on the range after his third round, focusing on tempo and alignment. "We’re trying to simplify things," McIlroy explained. "When I’m off, I tend to overcomplicate my swing thoughts. Right now, it’s about trust."
Pinehurst’s Demanding Layout
The US Open’s return to Pinehurst No. 2 presents a unique challenge. The course, redesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, features firm, fast fairways and treacherous native areas. Missing the fairway often means battling wiregrass and sandy waste areas, making recovery nearly impossible. McIlroy acknowledged the stakes:
"Pinehurst is one of those courses where you have to be precise. If you’re not in the fairway, you’re scrambling for pars. I’ve got a few days to figure it out, but it’s not ideal heading in like this."
Historical Context
McIlroy’s driving struggles are particularly concerning given his history at the US Open. His lone victory in 2011 at Congressional was built on dominant driving, where he led the field in strokes gained off the tee. Conversely, his missed cuts in 2016 (Oakmont) and 2022 (Brookline) coincided with erratic driving performances. Statistically, his fairway accuracy at majors this year:
- Masters: 55% (T-35th)
- PGA Championship: 52% (T-42nd)
- Canadian Open: 50% (T-56th)
Expert Reactions
Golf analysts have noted McIlroy’s struggles. Paul McGinley, former Ryder Cup captain, told Sky Sports: "Rory’s driver is his weapon, but when it’s off, it affects his whole game. Pinehurst will expose any weakness. He needs to find a fix quickly." Meanwhile, Brandel Chamblee of Golf Channel pointed to McIlroy’s recent equipment tweaks as a potential factor: "He’s been tinkering with shaft weights and lofts. Sometimes, simplicity is key under pressure."
The Road Ahead
McIlroy plans to skip the traditional pre-tournament press conference at Pinehurst to focus on practice. He’s expected to arrive early for extra work with Bannon. "I know what I need to do," McIlroy said. "It’s about repetition now. The US Open is a grind, and I’ve got to be ready."
With the US Open beginning June 13, McIlroy has limited time to recalibrate. His recent form—top-15 finishes in his last five starts—shows promise, but the driver remains the wild card. As he put it bluntly: "If I can’t find the fairway, I’m not winning. It’s that simple."
