Rory McIlroy looks forward to US PGA Championship after strong Open finish
World No 4 is a two-time winner of the PGA and has high hopes of landing a fifth major in less than a fortnight's time
By Raz Mirza
Last Updated: 17/07/16 9:26pm
Rory McIlroy felt he endured a "tough week" at The Open after starting the week with the misfortune of being handicapped by the draw but ended with a total of 17 birdies and a total of four-under-par.
The four-time major winner's final round featured six birdies and two bogeys at the difficult 11th and 12th holes to sign off a sometimes frustrating week with a flourish.
McIlroy, who never recovered from having to play in the most miserable weather conditions during his second round, was on course to be the lowest score of the day which would set him up for a second top-10 finish at a major this year after the Masters at Augusta in April.
Leaderboard
"It was a tough week," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I think Friday for our side of the draw especially and then Saturday was a tough day.
"I didn't take advantage of the easier start on the front nine and when I reflect on this week that's where, I'm not going to say lost me the tournament, but didn't afford me the opportunity to get anywhere near the leaders.
"I felt I played ok. It's going to be in the region of a top five or a top 10 and with the conditions I've faced this week I felt like I handled them pretty well.
"I sort of forgot about the Claret Jug and just tried to focus on finishing as high as I could."
The Northern Irishman now turns his attentions to the final major the year, the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol in less than a fortnight's time, an earlier start than usual because of the Rio Olympics.
"I leave with my head held high and go on to Baltusrol," said McIlroy, who is a two-time winner of the PGA, in 2012 at Kiawah Island and at Valhalla in 2014.
"I'm playing well, I'm driving the ball great, I'm happy with where my game's at, especially with the PGA coming up.
"All I can do is keep plugging away. I feel like it's definitely heading in the right direction.
"The PGAs are usually if you can drive the ball well, you'll do well, and I've had success in that tournament before, so I'm really happy with that. I'll go there feeling pretty good about myself."
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