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Former champion Rory McIlroy has warned his rivals he is in good shape before this week's US Open

Rory McIlroy is hoping a disciplined approach to tackling the fearsome Oakmont Country Club will be the key to US Open glory this week.

McIlroy is happy with his preparation leading into the second major of the year, and he is looking forward to "a great test of golf" on one of the world's toughest courses.

The world No 3 won on home soil at the Irish Open last month, and he rallied in the final round of The Memorial to finish two shots behind the leaders in his last outing before heading to Oakmont.

Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald compare notes during a practice round at Oakmont

But McIlroy is all too aware of the severe challenges facing the players this week, and he concedes he will have to rein in his aggressive instincts and make course management his primary focus.

"You have to be so disciplined here," said the 2011 champion. "One of the real challenges about this golf course, especially after they've taken so many trees away, is it's a big, wide open space now, and you're hitting into these tight fairways, and there's not really a whole lot of definition out there.

McIlroy also played with defending champion Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler on Monday

"So you have to be so zoned in to where you want your targets to be. It's probably a little easier for us this week than it is for the members, because we have grandstands to hit at and TV towers and whatever, whereas members play this course day in and day out, and they don't have anywhere to hit at out there.

"It's really hard to hit your targets off the tees and into the greens. We were talking on 16. For me, no matter where that pin is on that green, if you hit it at those two TV towers, try to land it seven or eight paces on the green, you're going to leave yourself a decent leave to whatever pin that is.

"So I think you just have to be really disciplined and trust the numbers, and you could go a whole round here without hitting it at any pin. And just trust that where you're hitting it into the spots is the best leave. I'd much rather have a 30-foot putt up the hill on these greens than even an eight-footer down the hill.

"I'm an aggressive player as well, so there's just going to be times where I'm going to have to rein it back a little bit. It's a great test of golf. Every shot you hit, you're under pressure to hit a great shot because you can't really miss it. You have to get the ball in play. You really need to put the ball on the fairway, and that's a huge premium.

McIlroy is happy with his preparations ahead of a 'great test of golf'

"And if you get your ball on the fairway, you've just got to make sure that you leave yourself below the hole on the greens. And even in some cases, that may mean missing the green. So two keys for, I think, everyone this week is get the ball on the fairway, and when you can do that, keep it below the hole with your approach shot."

McIlroy has played four practice rounds at Oakmont since his arrival last week, and he does not expect the course to get any easier, despite the prospect of some rain over the first two days.

McIlroy will play the first two rounds with Fowler and Masters champion Danny Willett

"I feel like my preparation leading up to this tournament has been pretty good," he added. "The last couple of competitive starts, I feel like I've played pretty well. I got a good look here at Oakmont last Monday and Tuesday and then played another couple of rounds yesterday and today, so I've had four really good looks at the place.

"To be honest, the course hasn't changed too much since I played it last Monday. So with a little bit of rain expected, but the weather to be good on the weekend, I can't imagine the conditions being much different to what we faced already these two days and even last week.

McIlroy believes he will have to rein in his aggressive instincts

"I feel as prepared as I can be coming in here, and I feel like I've got a good game plan for the course. It's just a matter of going out there and executing it.

"I'd be very proud if I won on a golf course like this. The majors that I have won have been soft and (well) under par
and more suits my style of game. But to be able to win on a course like this with the conditions the way they are, it would be maybe my biggest accomplishment in the game. (It) definitely would make me feel like a more complete player."

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