Rory McIlroy makes controversial decision as US Open creeps closer

Rory McIlroy has once again opted for a preparation strategy that divided opinion earlier this year as he targets a seventh major title at the US Open.

The Northern Irishman has revealed he recently visited Shinnecock Hills to assess conditions ahead of the tournament, repeating an approach that attracted criticism before his successful Masters campaign.

McIlroy famously ended his long wait for another major title at Augusta in April, successfully defending his Green Jacket and finishing ahead of world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.

However, part of the build-up to that triumph generated debate after McIlroy used an injury-enforced break from competition to spend extra time practising at Augusta National.

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Some observers questioned whether the additional preparation gave him an advantage over rivals who were still competing elsewhere.

McIlroy admitted he was surprised by the reaction.

"It gave me the opportunity to go up to Augusta and prepare maybe more than anyone else in the field," he said on the New Heights podcast.

"Which I actually got a little bit of stick for afterward, which was weird."

Now the world No 2 has adopted a similar approach ahead of the US Open by making an early trip to Shinnecock Hills.

The New York venue last staged the championship in 2018 and is expected to provide a stern examination for the world's best players later this month.

McIlroy used his visit to familiarise himself with the course and assess how conditions are shaping up.

"The fairways are very generous," he said.

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"They're more generous than they were in 2018 but the first cut of rough is five inches long."

McIlroy also offered his assessment of the greens, suggesting organisers may not need to increase their speed significantly before the tournament begins.

"The greens are rolling around 11, 11.2," he explained.

"I really don't think they need to get much faster."

The 37-year-old believes maintaining that speed could allow officials to create a fairer test while still using challenging hole locations throughout the week.

McIlroy's latest scouting mission is part of a carefully managed schedule that has seen him significantly reduce his tournament workload.

Since winning the Masters for the first time in 2025, he has been highly selective about where he plays and has prioritised rest and preparation over a packed calendar.

After competing at the Truist Championship and PGA Championship, McIlroy chose to skip several PGA Tour events before returning at the Memorial Tournament this week.

The decision reflects a broader approach he has adopted over the past two years.

"I've been doing this a long time," McIlroy said.

"I've been on tour more than half of my life at this point.

"So I'll pick and choose my spots."

He acknowledged the strategy could hurt his chances of winning season-long honours but believes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

"Absolutely. But I'm OK with that because it brings balance to my life and lets me enjoy things outside of the game," he added.

McIlroy currently sits tied for 19th place at the Memorial Tournament after two rounds and will use the event as his final competitive outing before heading to Shinnecock Hills.

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