HOYLAKE, England – The headliner at yet another major, Rory McIlroy dove headlong into his preparation instead of stopping for a formal, pre-tournament news conference at The Open.
There were likely reasons big and small that went into that decision. McIlroy hasn’t been back to Royal Liverpool since he won here in 2014 and wanted to refamiliarize him with the old links. He also won Sunday at the Scottish Open and answered reporters’ questions just two days earlier. But another aspect, undoubtedly, was his preference to stay in a sound state of mind. He is nearly nine years removed from his last major championship victory, and there would seem – because of his current form, his course history and his Open record – no better time to end that drought.