Masters-like collapse not on the cards for McIlroy
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China Daily, June 20, 2011
Rory McIlroy's errant shot off the 10th tee in the final round cost him a chance to win the Masters, but it might just have given him what he needed to make the US Open his first major victory.
McIlroy seized an eight-stroke lead after the third round of the US Open with a three-under par 68 on Saturday, his record-low total of 14-under 199 making distant spectators of the rest of golf's best players.
But questions persist after McIlroy's failure to finish off the Masters two months ago, when he led by four after 54 holes and one starting the back nine before hooking his tee shot left on the way to a triple bogey and a last-day 80.
"From the experience I had at Augusta, I know now how to approach tomorrow, and I think that's the most important thing," McIlroy said.
"At Augusta, it was all a little bit new to me, going into the final round with the lead. I didn't know whether to be defensive, aggressive, go for it, not go for it, but now I know what I need to do which is a great thing to have. I have a clear mind going out there and I just need to stick to my game plan.
"The more I put myself in this position, the more and more comfortable I'm becoming. I felt very comfortable out there today."
The 22-year-old Northern Ireland prodigy has even allowed himself the luxury of thinking about the impact of winning the US Open.
"It would mean a lot," he said. "Even though it's been a very, very short career, I've learnt a lot from all these experiences and I feel as if I've had enough experiences leading majors and being up there that the time is right to go ahead and get my first one."
McIlroy has been the leader after six of seven major rounds this year and could complete a wire-to-wire victory on Sunday.
"To lead six out of seven rounds of majors this year is great and again brings its own pressure, but I'm definitely thinking a lot better out on the golf course and making better decisions," McIlroy said.
"I think that's one of the reasons why my play has been good in the majors so far this year."
McIlroy set small goals during the round to maintain his focus on something other than the wide gap between himself and any other player.
"In the position that I find myself in, you can't get complacent," McIlroy said. "No lead is big enough, so you need to just keep going."
McIlroy could make his long-heralded major breakthrough on Father's Day. His parents sacrificed financially for their son's career and are on hand to add some soothing words and support to the investment.
"I had breakfast with him and we were chatting about what was going to happen," McIlroy said of his father. "He was just reassuring me. He was saying, you played great the last couple of days, there's no reason why it's going to be any different today, just go out there and do your thing.
"Mom and dad, they made huge sacrifices for me growing up. They were very supportive. I'm very thankful to them for how far that they've gotten me."
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