McIlroy happy with US Open debut

Rory McIlroy believes he has the golf game to compete in the major championships after a strong finish at the US Open for the 20-year-old Northern Irishman.

McIlroy finished in a tie for tenth at Bethpage Black today following a closing two-under-par round of 68 which left him at two over for the tournament on his US Open debut.

Following a 20th-place finish in the Masters on his debut at Augusta National in April, McIlroy is convinced he has what it takes to get on the majors honour roll.

He said: 'It's been a great week, a long one, but I feel like I have done very well.

'I've made a great start to my majors career, 20th in the Masters and then hopefully better here so it's been a good start.

'I feel I have the game to compete in Majors and those results have given me a lot of confidence.'

McIlroy was delighted with the way he dealt with the adversity thrown up on Long Island by a week of heavy rain, a saturated course and long delays that sent the tournament into Monday.

'Not really many surprises this week apart from the weather,' he said.

'It's been a great tournament and a great experience for my first US Open and I would love to come back and win it one day.

'I don't think I could have done anything differently this week with all the stops and starts. It's something you can't prepare for, so I don't think I could have done anything differently.

'All I have seen this week is the golf course and bed but that's just how it has gone - I couldn't do anything else.'

McIlroy said he was happy with all aspects of his game.

'It has been a very solid week. I shot 72-70 for the first two rounds when the guys were going low but I knew that if I stayed patient that level par would be a very good result.

'That's what I was trying today, which didn't quite happen but it was a really solid week and I can take a lot from it.

'I was really happy with a few shots I worked on for this week - I put a three iron in the bag and I think that worked well.

'I was hitting a lot of little half shots to take the spin off and that worked well. When I missed the greens I felt I chipped and putted well and I'll take confidence from that as well.'