Rory McIlroy can banish his Major blues at Brookline and bury the bad vibes surrounding the Saudi breakaway.
Former Open and Masters champion Sandy Lyle is convinced the Northern Ireland superstar can end his eight-year drought in golf’s biggest events after hitting form just at the right time.
McIlroy, 33, won the Canadian Open in stunning style last Sunday and is looking to take that sparkling play into today’s US Open opening round.
The build-up at The Country Club has been overshadowed by the civil war sparked by the LIV series, which staged its first event at Hertfordshire’s Centurion Club last week.
McIlroy has taken on the role of cheerleader for the PGA Tour in America but Lyle is convinced the four-time Major champ can park the politics and claim the big prize.
The Scot, 64, said: “US Opens are tough, but with McIlroy winning in Canada, that couldn’t have happened at a better time for him.
“He needed that boost. You can’t go into a drug store and buy that boost of energy, of confidence, it has to be earned through winning.
“That’s what he did really well, he looked like he enjoyed it. If I was going to put money down, I’d pick McIlroy right now because of momentum of winning. Scottie Scheffler would be right behind and Dustin Johnson would be next.”
Lyle is delighted McIlroy has led the backlash against the big-money Saudi project, which critics claim is merely sports-washing.
But he admitted the battle has only just started for the heart and soul of the game.
Lyle added: ”Rory might be the one that would be hit with the Saudi thing, the carrot money-wise, and Tiger Woods as well.
“He would be the No.1 they would want. But I think he’s looked at all the ins and outs, and the dos and don’ts and the don’t knows – there are a lot.
“Yes, there’s big money. But there are a lot of don’t knows in the longevity of it, how it’s going to unfold?
“It’s a bit like a court case, it could go on for another year, it could go on for another five years.”
Brookline was the scene of the infamous 1999 Ryder Cup battle and Boston fans have a reputation for being among the rowdiest.
But the locals appear to be behind Phil Mickelson – despite his leading role in the Saudi split.
Hometown hopeful Keegan Bradley said: “I was putting near the first tee yesterday and Phil was getting ready to tee off, and he got a monster ovation.
“People were cheering and Phil was giving the thumbs up to everybody.
“I think he is going to be just fine. It sounded like the same Phil with the crowd as I’ve always heard.”
Selected tee times
USA unless stated, UK times, (a) denotes amateur.
Starting at the 1st hole:
12:18: Collin Morikawa, James Piot, Jon Rahm (Spa)
12:29: Max Homa, Adam Scott (Aus), Jordan Spieth
18:14: Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland (Nor), Justin Thomas
18:36: Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng), Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson
18:47: Shane Lowry (Irl), Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa)
Starting at the 10th:
12:40: Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Xander Schauffele
18:03: Sergio Garcia (Spa), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Kevin Na
18:25: Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Smith (Aus)
18:47: Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose (Eng), Gary Woodland
18:58: Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Kyoung-Hoon Lee (Kor), Patrick Reed
Read more: Rory McIlroy aims thinly-veiled dig at LIV Golf defectors and decisions 'purely for money'
Read more: Who is Rory McIlroy's caddie at the Canadian Open? Mystery over new bag man solved
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