Harrington has an Olympic mountain to climb
Padraig Harrington has not holed enough putts so far this week. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington was frustrated by his wedge play and his putting after a third round 71 left him six shots adrift of Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk entering the final round of the US Open at The Olympic Club.
McIlroy humbled by watershed US Open failure
Rory McIlroy misses his birdie putt on the 18th in the second round of the US Open. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy insisted he has been humbled by his recent run of form after a three-putt bogey on his final hole ended his US Open defence and condemned him to a fourth missed cut from his last five starts.McDowell and Lawrie sparkle as McIlroy flames out
First round leader Michael Thompson. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieA grinding Graeme McDowell birdied his last two holes for a one under 69 that left him tied for second and just three shots off the lead after a punishing opening day at the US Open on a hard and fast Olympic Club.
But while the 2010 champion proved he’s one of the toughest and cleverest operators out there, defending champion Rory McIlroy showed that he’s got a lot to learn about grinding out a score as he slumped to a seven over 77 that leaves him in danger of missing the cut.
Harrington off his greens as Woods lays down marker
Padraig Harrington had a bad day on and around the greens at The Olympic Club. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieTiger Woods strode The Olympic Club like a colossus as Padraig Harrington struggled with his Achilles’ heel in the opening round of the US Open.
Patience the key for Olympic test
Rory McIlroy plays his second shot into the 18th at The Olympic Club (Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)Rory McIlroy got a B minus for his ceremonial pitch ahead of the baseball clash of the San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros on Tuesday might.
But whether he strikes out or hits a home run when he steps up to the plate in the US Open over the next few days will depend on one thing - his patience.
The 23-year old has proved to have a short fuse this year, famously hurling a club during the BMW PGA at Wentworth in the middle of a streak that saw him miss three cuts on the spin.
The world No 2 got his game back on track in Memphis last week but he knows he must not let the red mist descend like a San Francisco fog if he is to become the first man to retain the US Open for 23 years.
Attack the best defence for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy believes he can attack many of the holes at The Olympic Club with his driver. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy has vowed to go on the attack at the Olympic Club and battle to become the second back-to-back US Open champion in his lifetime.Harrington returns to ground zero
Padraig Harrington decided to change his game after the 1998 US Open at The Olympic Club. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington returns to US Open venue that prompted him to totally transform his long game 14 years ago and take the first steps towards becoming a multiple major champion.
McIlroy facing true test of form at Olympic
Rory McIlroy hits balls on the range at the Olympic Club on Monday. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy shrugged off the final hole flop that cost him the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis and arrived at the US Open insisting he has high hopes of defending his title.McIlroy facing another awkward "Olympic" question
Rory McIlroy would love to do this at The Olympic Cub in San Francisco in June. The course will be firm and fast but should we write him off? Picture Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieAlmost everyone expects Rory McIlroy to come out with all guns blazing in search of the world No 1 ranking at Quail Hollow this week.
The new “old” No 1 Luke Donald is one. Rory McIlroy is another. As for Padraig Harrington, he just expects McIlroy to play well, with the occasional blip, for the next 25 years.
But what can we expect from McIlroy when the US Open is played at a firm and fast Olympic Club in San Francisco in June?