Reflective Rory striving to have 'a little more acceptance'

Rory McIlroy was in reflective mood as he looked ahead to his latest major tilt at the US PGA Championship this weekend.

McIlroy is still stinging from his poor performance last month at the Masters, the one major he needs to complete the career Grand Slam. He missed the cut following a disastrous two days, and was then docked $3m in bonus money by the PGA Tour for missing a second designated event, the RBC Heritage, the week after Augusta.

The 34-year-old has been open about his need to have a break and hit the reset button ahead of the USPGA, which starts at Oak Hill tomorrow.

"I was so never so sure that I was going to have a great week at Augusta; never so sure," he told RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen.

"Then, you know, that happens, and it was a great lesson. It was a great lesson for me to not put too much into feelings or vibes. I shot five-under on the back nine on the Wednesday afternoon and I felt great. Everything was in a good spot, but that's golf.

"The game can bring you back down to earth pretty quickly, but I think the best way to deal with that is to not let yourself get to that level of expectation so early. That's sort of what I'm trying to do.

"I'm just trying to take what the golf course gives me, hit good golf shots and try to have a little more acceptance.

"I don't need to be so myopic in my view of everything, just sort of see the bigger picture a bit more. That's what I'm trying to do."

McIlroy is completely focused on letting his game do the talking now. An oft and outspoken critic of the renegade LIV Golf Series, he has stepped back from discussing the subject this week as he takes aim at another Wanamaker Trophy.

"I'd rather people be talking about me because of my golf rather than stuff I'm doing behind the