Rory’s meeting of minds with Nicklaus

Rory McIlroy has set himself the challenge of winning two of the remaining three majors this year and will today start his bid for a second US Open title determined to avoid a nightmare Friday the 13th.

Great starts on a Thursday have not been a problem for the world number six, who will tee off at 12:40pm Irish time today in confident mood alongside fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell and American Webb Simpson in a group of former US Open champions.

The 2011 US Open champion has every reason to feel good about his game having recorded nine top-10 finishes in 12 starts this year, including last month’s victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.