Sports

McIlroy to practice at Merion

World number two Rory McIlroy is off to Merion for two US Open practice rounds this week after a talk with coach Dave Stockton to try to help his golf game before next week’s major showdown.

The 24-year-old from Northern Ireland, who won his first major title at the 2011 US Open, spoke yesterday at Oak Hill, where he will defend his most recent major triumph at the 95th PGA Championship in August.

“It is the strongest field in golf and it’s great to be able to come out on top in a field like that,” said McIlroy, who won last year’s PGA crown at Kiawah Island.

McIlroy will play practice rounds at Merion today and tomorrow as he tries to fine tune a game that has seen him produce four top-10 showings in US PGA events, including a second at the Texas Open, but only a share of 25th at the Masters and 57th last week at the Memorial.

“I’m playing pretty well. I need it all to click into place and once I do that, I’ll be off and running,” McIlroy said yesterday.