Rory McIlroy hopes to recapture form ahead of US Open

Image caption, Rory McIlroy hopes to recapture form

Rory McIlroy hopes to regain his form in the final warm-up tournament before launching a defence of his US Open title in San Francisco next week.

McIlroy has missed the last three cuts, two in America and one in Europe, and has failed to break par in any of those tournaments.

He has decided to play in the St Jude Classic in Memphis this week.

"I just feel I've lacked competitive rounds a little bit but I'm still confident in my abilities," he said.

McIlroy rarely plays the week before a major, but decided several weeks ago to play in the Tennessee tournament to get some extra playing time ahead of the US Open.

"It's just a matter of working hard and trying to bring it (game) up a level from where it has been the last couple of weeks," he said.

"I am hoping to get in another competitive tournament before next week.

"It would be nice to turn around my form."

Joining McIlroy in the field will be Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington, as well as other major winners Zach Johnson and Davis Love.