Rory McIlroy: US Open conditions suit me

Rory McIlroy believes damp conditions will 'play into his hands' as he bids for a second US Open title at Merion Golf Club this week

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy believes damp conditions will 'play into his hands' as he bids for a second US Open title at Merion Golf Club this week.

Heavy rain in the Pennsylvania area has softened the golf course considerably, conditions preferred by the world number two.

"I did not really enjoy the US Open at Olympic last year. I much prefer this sort of golf when you hit a shot and it stays where you think it's going to stay," said McIlroy.

"It's probably going to play into my hands a bit more and my iron play is dialled in. As long as I can put it in the fairway, I can take advantage of it."

With Merion playing less than 7,000 yards and heavy rainfall facilitating a receptive course, many are predicting extremely low scoring - something McIlroy was quick to dispel.

"I expect the scores to be lower that usual in the US Open but I don't think you will see scores like Congressional," he added.

"It's still pretty tight and when you hit it in the rough you are not going to make birdie from there."

Earlier in the day Ian Poulter tweeted: "Just watching Golf Channel people interviewing asking if 62 is on this week. What are they smoking. Haha."

On his own chances, McIlroy - who is yet to record a victory since his high-profile equipment switch - added:

"The two majors I have won I was coming in without many expectations. The 2011 US Open was just after the Masters and last year I missed three cuts in a row before the US PGA.

"It's great to have my name on the US Open trophy and I would like to have it on there a few more times."

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x