Rory McIlroy insists patience will be key to master ‘impossible’ Oakmont course

Rory McIlroy is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to overcome an “impossible” Oakmont course and prosper at the US Open.

McIlroy is looking to shake off a hangover from his US Masters triumph in April, where he completed his 11-year quest for a career grand slam of winning all four majors.

That will not be easy at the unforgiving Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, characterised by notoriously thick rough, especially as the 36-year-old is battling driver issues.

A post shared by U.S. Open Championship (@usopengolf)

He missed the cut when the US Open was last played here in 2016, but has been putting in the work ahead of Thursday’s first round.

He played at the course on a scouting mission last Monday, but probably wishes he had not bothered, as he shot an 81, while he has also been watching videos of Dustin Johnson’s win here nine years ago.

“I’m glad we have spotters up there because I played last Monday just in Druck’s (member Stanley Druckenmiller) outing, and you hit a ball off the fairway and you were looking for a good couple of minutes just to find it,” he said.

“It’s very penal if you miss. Sometimes it’s penal if you don’t miss. But the person with the most patience and the best attitude this week is the one that’s going to win.

“There’s definitely been a little bit of rain since I played. Last Monday felt impossible. I birdied the last two holes for 81. It felt pretty good. It didn’t feel like I played that bad.

“It’s much more benign right now than it was that Monday. They had the pins in dicey locations, and greens were running fast. It was nearly impossible.

“If you put it in the fairway, it’s certainly playable. But then you just have to think about leaving your ball below the hole and just trying to