World number two Rory McIlroy is off to Merion for two US Open practice rounds this week after a talk with coach Dave Stockton to try and help his golf game before next week's major showdown. The 24-year-old from Northern Ireland, who won his first major title at the 2011 US Open, spoke Monday at Oak Hill, where he will defend his most recent major triumph at the 95th PGA Championship in August. "It is the strongest field in golf and it's great to be able to come out on top in a field like that," said McIlroy, who won last year's PGA crown at Kiawah Island.

Rory McIlroy finally broke 70 in the Masters on Sunday, but his final-round effort came too late to salvage what was another disappointing campaign at Augusta National for him. Three birdies against two bogeys were enough to get the Ulsterman into the 60s where he needs to be if one day he is win the year's first major tournament having already won the US Open and PGA Championship.

By Larry Fine AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Golf fans have drooled in anticipation of a one-two rivalry between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, but the mop-topped Northern Irishman said on Tuesday that talk was premature. "I don't see myself a rival to Tiger or to anyone," McIlroy said on Tuesday before a practice round at Augusta National ahead of Thursday's opening round of the Masters.

Martin Laird punched his ticket to The Masters by firing a closing round of nine-under 63 to capture the PGA Tour's Texas Open by two strokes on Sunday. The 30-year-old Scotsman matched the course record and snapped a USA win streak on the PGA Tour that dates back to last season. Rory McIlroy got within one stroke of the lead when he birdied the 14th hole, but the Northern Irishman ended two back at minus-12 after a final-round 66. Laird, who entered the day five shots adrift of the leader, rolled in birdies on his final three holes Sunday at the TPC San Antonio.