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Rory McIlroy maintains he is not just using his debut at the RBC Canadian Open as preparation for an assault on the US Open title at Pebble Beach.<\/p>\nRory McIlroy maintains he is not just using his debut at the RBC Canadian Open as preparation for an assault on the US Open title at Pebble Beach.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old heads to Hamilton looking to build momentum into the third major of the year and on the back of a disappointing performance at the Memorial Tournament.<\/p>\n
Having missed the cut in each of the past three US Open events, McIlroy believes delivering a strong showing through all four rounds in Ontario will be crucial.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t just a preparation week. This is a very prestigious tournament, one of the oldest tournaments in the world that I would dearly love to be able to add my name to,\u201d said McIlroy, who claimed his first major triumph with victory in the 2011 US Open at Congressional.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard a lot of great things about Hamilton and I\u2019m excited to be here.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very strategic golf course. You\u2019ve got to put it in play off the tee, and I\u2019m definitely going to have to drive it better this week than I did last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a variety of different tee shots that you need to hit, with different clubs, and the greens are going to be a very similar type of grass.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rough is pretty thick as well, so if you miss it in the rough you\u2019re doing well to get it up by the green. And then, if you do miss greens, it\u2019s going to be pretty similar in terms of the lies that you get.<\/p>\n
McIlroy told reporters at a press conference: \u201cI\u2019m fully focused on this week, but knowing that if I play well here this week, and have good control of my ball and my distance control, that that will serve me well going into next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Defending champion Dustin Johnson will be another looking to make an impact through this weekend.<\/p>\n
The American world number two, though, is no longer working directly with long-time coach Claude Harmon III in a new set-up moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always worked with coach (Allen) Terrell, I\u2019ve always worked with Butch (Harmon) and Claude, so it\u2019s not really a change,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Johnson played the last four Canadian Opens contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club but is ready for the challenge of tackling the shorter Hamilton course, the players having been taken off for spells during Wednesday\u2019s practice round because of rain and dangerous weather conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of an old school golf course. Got to hit it straight, but I like it so far, what I\u2019ve seen,\u201d said Johnson, who finished runner-up at the PGA Championship last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019m rested. I\u2019m mentally sharp, and I\u2019m ready to go for the last push through the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a lot of really big tournaments coming up, and for me, it\u2019s just about putting myself into position to have a chance to win.\u201d<\/p>\n