Can Rory McIlroy end his majors drought?

Rory McIlroy lifted silverware in Scotland on Sunday, winning the Genesis Scottish Open by a single shot on the final hole, a nice way to prepare for the 2023 British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

McIlroy is approaching a nine-year drought without a major championship and will be hoping to prove his doubters wrong this week.

I’ve just got to go out and play golf,” McIlroy told ESPN ahead of the Open. “Since 2014, I’ve won everything else there is to win in the game, apart from a major championship, so I know I’m good.”

The 34-year-old has indeed come close to ending the drought. He finished runner-up in three majors since winning a second Wanamaker Trophy at the 2014 PGA Championship. The man from Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, tied for second at last year’s Masters, the 2018 Open Championship, and the US Open in June.

“You only get four chances a year, and the top of world golf is so strong at the moment,” says Irishman Shane Lowry. “Like I keep saying, you don’t have a god-given right to go out there and win and do well. It’s a battle day in and day out for professional golfers, and that’s what it is.

“Rory’s been consistently one of the best players in the world for the last 12 or 14 years. Since he won here in 2014, he’s done everything in the game there is to do twice, apart from winning a major, and he’s come so close. To be honest, I was sure he was going to win that US Open this year, and I was happy to hear he didn’t take it too hard. He was pretty happy with the way he played and what he did.”

McIlroy feeling confident after Scottish success

Winning last week in tough conditions in Scotland gives McIlroy some extra confidence going into this weekend.

“I think regardless of whether I won or not, I would’ve come in here confident with the way I’ve played over the past month and a half,” McIlroy said.

“My game feels like it’s in good shape, but I think seeing the way I played last week and being able to control my ball in pretty difficult conditions, I feel good about that coming into this week.”