Rory McIlroy will be hoping to bounce back to form at the Travelers Championship this week.
Despite a really disappointing US Open week for McIlroy at Oakmont, there were hugely positive signs during his final round 67.
And now his goal will be to contend at the Travelers Championship.
During his press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy shared with reporters his excitement at the Brian Rolapp news.
The PGA Tour seem to be on the verge of a thrilling new era, and the Northern Irishman’s endorsement of Rolapp will help the new CEO hit the ground running.
However, more importantly, he will be looking for some positive news regarding his own game this week.
The Masters champion has actually experienced a very difficult past month or so.
McIlroy seemed to be completely deflated at the US Open last week, and his comments to the press about his lack of motivation were particularly concerning.
The one guaranteed cure for the way he is feeling right now will be a win at the Travelers Championship.
Rory McIlroy on how he feels about playing the Travelers Championship
This week’s tournament is a Signature Event, so there is certainly a lot to play for when it comes to finances and FedEx Cup points.
McIlroy’s recent form means that he isn’t actually fancied by many heading into TPC River Highlands this week.
After the US Open finished last week, he responded when asked if he was looking forward to returning to Europe.
“I’m looking forward to just getting back to Europe in general. Obviously I’ve got one more week over here. Play Hartford next week.
Yeah, we’ve got a lot to look forward to, got our new house in London, play the Scottish and then obviously The Open at Portrush.“
That didn’t really sound like a man who was thrilled to be heading to TPC River Highlands did it?
So how is he really feeling about the playing a Signature Event starting on Thursday?
The five-time major champion responded when asked if he’s happy to be back in Cromwell, Connecticut, for the Travelers Championship this week.
He said, “It’s good. I missed this event last year, licking my wounds from Pinehurst, but I made a commitment to Travelers to be back this year. I’m excited to be back.
“I think the weeks after major championships in these events sometimes when you’re in contention and you’re trying to win them, it can feel quite difficult to go play the next week. After a week like I had at Oakmont last week, where you’re not quite in the mix but you might feel you find something in your game, you’re excited to come back and play again.
“Yeah, looking forward to the week. This is the perfect sort of chaser for what Oakmont was last week, and nice to get out on a golf course where you feel you can make quite a few birdies.“
Rory McIlroy needs to set new goals urgently
McIlroy has now completed the Grand Slam.
So why not set a new goal of repeating that feat, and going down in the history books as not only a great golfer, but one of the best three or four to have ever played the game.
He has admitted himself that he has now climbed his Mount Everest.
And if the 35-year-old doesn’t set new goals, he will just be going through the motions until he decides to hang up his clubs.
Rory McIlroy has the ability to achieve legendary status in the game, and he needs to get his focus and hunger back as a matter of urgency now.
Otherwise, what’s the point in him even turning up to play these events in the first place?
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