Tranlate this title McIlroy in Shinnecock Hills with a big problem in spanish

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who spent the week at his new property southwest of London, arrived on Long Island Saturday evening and traveled to the U.S. Open course on Sunday to begin his preparations for the third major of the season.

McIlroy’s plane took off from Farnborough, Surrey, around noon on Saturday and landed six and a half hours later in Westhampton Beach. He then made a short eleven-minute hop to Republic Airport in Farmingdale.

McIlroy, results

After spending a full week at his new favorite retreat a few miles from central London, the two-time Masters champion took his first swings on Sunday alongside Ludvig Åberg at Shinnecock Hills. A formidable course, but one that should suit his game better than the PGA Championship course last month.

Fortunately, the fairways at Shinnecock are a bit wider than here. McIlroy after the final round of the Memorial

The reason? Fairways wider than in the last two editions of the U.S. Open in 2004 and 2018.

Because it’s true that in his previous outings, McIlroy mainly compromised his chances of success with inaccurate tee shots.

After finishing 12th in the Memorial Tournament, following a solid 68 in the final round, the world number two himself offered his diagnosis with his characteristic candor: his driver, the foundation of his entire game for years, is simply not performing well enough.

«Two steps forward, one step back,» he summarized.

His irons? Good. His short game? In order. His putting? Satisfactory. But off the tee, he’s struggling. «Not yet where I want it to be,» he admitted. Fortunately, the fairways at Shinnecock are a bit wider than here. But I need to work on it. I need to understand what the problem is.

The last time Rory played in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock, he missed the cut after a disastrous start to the tournament.

He shot a 42 through the first nine holes and carded an 80 (+10). The following day, despite another very shaky start (39), he recovered well on the back nine but couldn’t quite make the cut.