When Rory McIlroy withdrew from the 2022 Irish Open at Mount Juliet in early July, it caused some concern among fans that the Northern Irish golfer may have picked up an injury, having competed in a packed schedule so far in 2022.
Thankfully it was just a step to ensure the current world number two could rest at the old course at St Andrews ahead of his fourth major appearance of the year at the 2022 Open Championship.
Having racked up top-ten finishes in his three major appearances so far this year, many are predicting it may finally be time for McIlroy to break his eight-year wait for a major championship win.
In this article, The Sporting News examines the 33-year-old’s previous Open Championship record, how well he has done so far in 2022 and whether a win is likely this weekend at St Andrews.
Will Rory McIlroy play at the 2022 Open Championship?
15 years after his first Open Championship appearance as a low-ranking amateur, McIlroy will be back on the field for the 2022 edition of that competition.
In one of the best form of his career to date, the Northern Irish golfer will be looking to win his second Open Championship title when he returns to St Andrews for the first time in 12 years this weekend.
Speaking to the media Tuesday ahead of this week’s action, McIlroy explained; “I’m in good shape. My confidence in my game is higher than it’s been in a long time.”
“I’m happy where everything is and I just can’t get ahead of myself and just need to make sure I prepare well over the next few days and get myself in the right frame of mind for Thursday.”
McIlroy also has the endorsement of famed golfer Gary Player ahead of the 2022 Open Championship.
The former nine-time Major championship winner told Sky Sports; “Today he is the most talented golfer in the world. He’s got the best swing, he’s a physical specimen – I admire him so much for his work ethic – and a wonderful young man. He’s my pick to win.”
What is Rory McIlroy’s rank in the 2022 Open Championship?
After a string of strong results at the three major championships so far this year, McIlroy will enter the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews as world runner-up.
He currently sits quite a distance behind world number one Scottie Scheffler, although that is McIlroy’s highest placing since mid-2020.
The 33-year-old sits in front of Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who complete the top five places.
What is McIlroy’s previous Open Championship record?
McIlroy has previously competed in the Open Championship 12 times during his career, with his performances leading to mixed results.
The Northern Irish golfer won this Major in 2014 but has struggled in his last two appearances.
| Year | Result at the Open Championship |
| 2007 | T42 |
| 2008 | DNP |
| 2009 | T47 |
| 2010 | T3 |
| 2011 | T25 |
| 2012 | T60 |
| 2013 | CUT |
| 2014 | winner |
| 2015 | DNP |
| 2016 | T5 |
| 2017 | T4 |
| 2018 | T2 |
| 2019 | CUT |
| 2020 | tournament cancelled |
| 2021 | T46 |
DNP – Not played
T – Tie with another golfer.
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What happened the last time Rory McIlroy played the Open Championship?
It was a tough weekend for McIlroy when he last competed in the Open Championship in 2021.
Despite paring evenly over his four rounds, the former world number one never really gained momentum at Kent’s Royal St George’s Golf Course, finishing 15 shots behind champion Collin Morikawa.
His first round had started strongly with a birdie on hole one, although three straight bogeys on 5, 6 and 7 quickly spoiled his promising start.
It was more of the same for the remainder of Round 1 to the end, as a lack of consistency dashed any hopes of McIlroy for an admirable result at the 2021 Open Championship.
How has McIlroy done so far in 2022?
Very good, to say the least.
Not only did McIlroy win the 2022 RBC Canadian Open for the second time in his career, McIlroy has also played exceptionally when it really counted in the big tournaments.
McIlroy began his 2022 campaign at the Major Championships with a second-place finish at the Masters – his highest finish in the competition to date – and has since finished 8th at the PGA Championship and 5th at the US Open in mid-June.
If he can secure a top ten finish at the 2022 Open Championship, it will be the first time in his career that McIlroy has finished 10th or higher in all four majors in a single year.
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How many major championships has Rory McIlroy won so far?
Regarded by many as one of the greatest golfers of his generation, McIlroy has won four major championships over the course of his impressive career.
His first major championship win came at the 2011 US Open when he won the tournament by a staggering eight shots.
Since then, McIlroy has claimed victory at the 2012 PGA Championship, the 2014 Open Championship, and the 2014 PGA Championship.
Additionally, the County Down native has 33 professional wins, 21 of which have been on the PGA Tour.