Rory McIlroy Must Finish Strong at FedEx St. Jude Classic Heading into US Open

Rory McIlroy desperately needs a boost of confidence heading into the US Open, and as such, it's imperative that he finish strong this weekend at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. After two rounds of play, McIlroy leads the field at seven-under par and will be in the final group on Saturday. 

McIlroy needs to keep playing well for the last two rounds if he has any hope of contending for the US Open Championship Trophy next weekend at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. A sloppy finish, or worse yet, a tank job this weekend would be the emotional equivalent of getting punched in the gut for the young Irishman.

He's played extremely well thus far at the St. Jude Classic, but McIlroy needs to continue getting better throughout the weekend or the pressures of next week's event will be too much for his fragile confidence to bear.

You see, although McIlroy has been the best golfer on the course at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, he missed the cut at each of the last three tournaments he entered. His focus hasn't been there and his game has been erratic (at best) over this period of time. 

After missing the cut at last weekend's Memorial Championship, McIlroy told Golf.com:

"

It just seems like every time I go out there, I make one or two big numbers and that sort of throws me - a couple doubles on the back nine. Just those big numbers at the beginning are killing me, and I just need to get those off the card and I'll be OK.

"

Even though McIlroy is leading half-way through the St. Jude Classic, he is still failing to stay consistent, making four bogeys through two rounds and struggling to hit greens (58.3 percent, tied for 42nd).

McIlroy is at his best when he's full of confidence. His play of late has produced exactly the opposite—a tentative golfer who looked defeated after the Memorial Championship. A strong finish would do much for the young man's confidence heading into next week's test, but a lousy finish could devastate him before he ever arrives in San Francisco.

Here's hoping McIlroy continues his upward trend and comes on strong to peak at just the right moment. The US Open would be better for it, and I'd love to see both him and Tiger Woods playing at their best next weekend.