Rory McIlroy is bidding to win his seventh major title at the US Open 2026 and has raised concerns over slow practice rounds at Shinnecock Hills as a former Ryder Cup winner pulls out
Rory McIlroy is concentrating on clinching the seventh major title of his career at the forthcoming US Open. He is scheduled to tee off at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday, June 18.
The 37 year old completed the career Grand Slam by claiming the Masters last year and capitalised on that triumph by defending the Green Jacket in April. McIlroy has only participated in three tournaments since his latest victory at Augusta, but returned to competition at the Memorial Tournament last week as he prepared for the US Open.
The Northern Irishman finished in a share of 12th place on four-under-par and disclosed he had been practising at the US Open venue before the Memorial Tournament. McIlroy is spending time at home in England before travelling back stateside but has voiced one worry ahead of the tournament.
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McIlroy will be amongst the favourites to capture the US Open for the first time since his success in 2011. However, he has raised an early grievance after forecasting that the speed of practice rounds will impact his preparation at Shinnecock Hills, having encountered the same issue during the PGA Championship last month, reports the Mirror.
“Too many people inside the ropes I think is the big part of it,” McIlroy said. “I think as well, like, guys are resigned to the fact that they’re going to play nine holes, so it’s okay to be out there for nine holes and in three hours.
“Like, no one plays 18-hole practice rounds anymore the week of. So I guess it gives everyone the ability to play slow and hit as many balls as they like. I guess that’s what practice rounds are for.”
He added: “Yeah, I think as well there’s, like, just so much hangers on inside the ropes and that sort of seems to slow things down as well.”
Thorbjorn Olesen will be absent from the US Open field after pulling out of a qualifying tournament before finishing his two scheduled rounds. The 36 year old stood at three-over after 14 holes when he departed Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto on Monday.
Olesen, who contributed to Team Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup triumph, took his decision after finding himself eight shots adrift of the pace. The Dane will be hoping for a stronger showing at this week’s Canadian Open, which is also staged in Toronto.
A combined 43 US Open places were allocated across 10 qualifying tournaments throughout the USA and Canada. Olesen just failed to make the cut at the major last year after carding eight-over across two rounds at Oakmont.
He has claimed 15 professional titles, including eight European Tour triumphs. A career pinnacle for Olesen arrived with his Ryder Cup singles triumph over Jordan Spieth as Team Europe prevailed in France.