Rory McIlroy takes long view in search to end major drought

Not for the first time in his career, Rory McIlroy is taking the long view of his game as he searches for answers to the increasing distance between him and his last major championship victory.

A final-round 67 put him in a tie for fourth place alongside Rafa Cabrera Bello in the 146th Open at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, seven strokes adrift of the Champion Golfer Jordan Spieth, and made it a 15th consecutive major since he won the fourth and most recent of his titles at the 2014 PGA in Kentucky at Valhalla.

It is a drought that frustrates McIlroy, 28, but after a 2017 campaign blighted by a rib injury that has twice sidelined him, and interrupted by his wedding to Erica Stoll in Ireland three months ago, he is prepared to look long-term and trust his patience to see him through.