Rory McIlroy Set for US Open after Quinta Do Lago Stay

It's been a frustrating season for Rory McIlroy to date, having missed significant periods of the year through injury, but the four-time major champion has confirmed his return at next week's U.S. Open at Erin Hills, after spending a fortnight at the stunning Quinta do Lago Resort in Portugal.

The Northern Irishman found himself on the sidelines due to a rib injury after finishing runner-up to Graeme Storm in South Africa, before more recently withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth following a recurrence of those problems, which has seen the Ulsterman compete in just six tournaments in 2017.

Reported by Ewan Murray of The Guardian, McIlroy said in regards to his participation in the year's second major: “I am ready for Erin Hills and looking forward to playing there for the first time. The last few weeks have obviously been frustrating – I never like to miss events either on the PGA Tour or European Tour – but it was important I got back to a level of fitness where I felt like I could give myself the best possible chance at the U.S. Open.

“As I have said many times before, majors will ultimately determine my golf career but I have had the rest of this busy season to consider as well.

“Every aspect of the facilities at Quinta do Lago has been first class. I can’t thank the people there enough for the way they have looked after me. I have been able to work on fitness and golf without any distractions at all.”

Good progress made over the past 2 weeks in @Quinta_do_Lago Portugal. Excited for the US Open. pic.twitter.com/2Zqi0dvRlo

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 5, 2017

The 28-year-old also shared this news on Twitter, showcasing his celebrated swing from the sunny fairways of the Algarve, which will come as a relief for his many fans, as he seeks a fifth major victory, and a second triumph in America's national championship, having picked up his first title at Congressional six years ago. 

Erin Hills is a new venue on the U.S. Open rotation, with the Wisconsin course being merely a decade old. Boasting a yardage that can potentially be stretched to almost 8,000 yards and punishingly long rough. It's certain to be an arduous challenge for the field as they seek to claim the trophy so brilliantly secured by Dustin Johnson 12 months ago.