Northern Ireland’s McIlroy will return to the Travelers Championship after skipping the 2024 event to “lick my wounds”, having just missed out on winning the US Open at Pinehurst.

McIlroy arrives in Connecticut off the back off a difficult week at this year’s major at Oakmont, where he was visibly frustrated by his game as he narrowly made the cut and told reporters he had earned the right “to do what I want” after skipping media sessions.

After the tournament he said he had climbed his “Everest” in completing a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April and that he was looking forward to scaling “another mountain”.

“The weeks after major championships, sometimes when you’re in contention and trying to win them it can feel quite difficult to go and play the next week,” the 36-year-old said.

“But after a week like I had at Oakmont, where you aren’t quite in the mix but you think you might have found something in your game, you are excited to play again.

“This is the perfect chaser from last week and it’s nice to get out on a golf course where you feel like you can make quite a few birdies.”

When asked if one particular shot at the US Open had made him feel more positive about his game, the five-time major winner said consistency was key and pointed to the fact he made the most shots off the tee in the field at Oakmont.

“If I can see something, or have a feeling, that is very repeatable – on the range is one thing but on the course is another – the proof is in the pudding,” he added.

“Last week I felt I found a feeling, especially off the tee that was repeatable and working well.

“I led strokes off the tee last week which was a big thing for me. I thought I drove the ball well all week.”