“I just need to get myself in the right frame of mind. I probably haven’t been there the last few weeks," said McIlroy, after breaking par for the first time in his last seven rounds.

Rory McIlroy's angsty week at the U.S. Open took an unexpected turn ahead of Sunday's final round at Oakmont, making time for a smiley pre-round interview with NBC's Kira K. Dixon

McIlroy was asked Saturday if that was because of frustration on the course.

“Physically I feel like my game’s there,” he said. “It’s just mentally getting myself in the right frame of mind to get the best out of myself.”