McIlroy looking to avoid US Open repeat

Rory McIlroy believes he ‘over-prepared’ for last month’s US Open but he will not be making the same mistake at the Open Championship.

The Northern Irishman went into last month’s tournament at Shinnecock Hills having completed 18 rounds of golf in 19 days and by the time the tournament came around he was unable to sustain his best form, as he ultimately missed the cut.

The 29-year-old will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that disappointment at Carnoustie next week and he is certainly not going to adopt the same intense approach, particularly as he already knows the course well.

“I felt like I almost over-prepared for Shinnecock,” McIlroy said. “I was there too long and I was starting to see all the spots you shouldn’t hit it in and that’s where I was hitting it in.

“So to know the course and know what to expect, it will be nice.”

Carnoustie was the venue for McIlroy’s first major championship appearance in 2007 and he enjoyed great success on his debut, as he finished as the top-performing amateur.

McIlroy claimed a tie for 42nd place at that tournament, but he will be hoping to challenge for overall glory this time around, as he goes in search of his first major title since his PGA Championship success in 2014.