'It went from my least favourite major to my favourite' - Rory McIlroy's mind sharpens as Oakmont looms

"But the person with the most patience and the best attitude this week is the one that's going to win.”

TAKING AIM: Rory McIlroy takes it down the last in his practice round ahead of the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country. Pic: David Cannon/Getty Images

Plans and targets, goals and motivations, the driving why, the guiding north star. Rory McIlroy, it is clear, doesn’t really have any of the above right now.

Not like he had them before April 13, anyway. But eight-plus weeks of shrugging and pausing and pensive pondering, hasn’t stopped McIlroy being pressed on all of the above either. Tuesday at Oakmont was another such occasion.