 McIlroy says recent rain will make Hazeltine a tough test |
Rory McIlroy has vowed to show patience in this week's PGA Championship at Hazeltine as he concludes his first year of playing in all four majors. The 20-year-old's jump into the world top 20 this year was fuelled by victory in Dubai in February but his form has been less assured in recent weeks. "I've never set myself a timetable of when I want to win a major," said McIlroy on Tuesday. "I hope to have 30 years to win majors. I won't worry about it just yet." The year's final major tournament marks 10 years since then teenage phenomenon Sergio Garcia battled against Tiger Woods for the PGA title. Woods won his second major in 1999 and now has 14 but Garcia has yet to claim one of golf's four big titles. "Look at Sergio Garcia. He's one of the best ball strikers I've ever played with. If he hasn't won one, it must be something very difficult," McIlroy said.  | I feel as if I've done, for my first year in all four majors, pretty well |
"It's not as easy as Tiger makes it look sometimes." McIlroy shared 20th at the Masters, 10th at the US Open and a disappointing 47th at the Open but the Northern Irish youngster remains upbeat. "I feel as if I've done, for my first year in all four majors, pretty well," McIlroy said. "The thing about majors, it's a lot easier to put yourself in position to do well in a major than in a regular tournament. "You don't have to make birdies. You can grind out a few pars. "I've learned to be patient as well. You don't go chasing scores in these tournaments. That can cost you two or three shots." McIlroy admitted a bit of envy watching his compatriot Padraig Harrington, the defending PGA Championship king, battle Woods to the final holes of last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. | 606: DEBATE |
"Everyone would love to be in that position. Hopefully I'll be in that position sooner rather than later." McIlroy is working to regain form for the season-ending push. "I'm working hard to get it back where it was. I don't think it's tiredness. You're always going to have a few lows and big highs as well. "It's about making the most of not playing your best. It's about turning top-40s and top-50s into top-20s and top-30s." The Ulsterman will join Jim Furyk and Martin Kaymer on Thursday and Friday at a Hazeltine course that has been lengthened by 300 yards since hosting the 2002 PGA Championship. "Most of the guys make their score on the par-5s but I don't think that will happen this week because they are so long," McIlroy said. "It's very long, especially with all the rain this area has seen in the past couple weeks."
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?