Rory McIlroy may have won four Major Championships and three Race to Dubai titles in his career so far - but the former World Number One believes a win this week at Oakmont Country Club could take him to the next level.
The Northern Irishman claimed his first Major win in record-breaking fashion at this event in 2011 as he posted a 16 under par total to lift the trophy at Congressional Country Club.
Oakmont, however, provides a very different challenge with narrow fairways, thick rough and fast greens, and the last time the US Open was staged here in 2007 Angel Cabrera won with a five over par total.
McIlroy admits his style of game suits more of a shootout, and he feels he would be adding another string to his bow if he could triumph over the Pennsylvania layout.
I'd be very proud if I won on a golf course like this - Rory McIlroy
"The Majors that I have won have been soft and under par and more suit my style of game.
"To be able to win on a course like this with the conditions the way they are, it would probably be my, maybe my biggest accomplishment in the game. But definitely it would make me feel like a more complete player.
"I think with experience, you learn what a good score is on that particular day or, if you're not playing so well, how to just grind it out and make pars and try to get it in the clubhouse at a respectable score.
"I feel like over the years I've learned how to do that a little bit better. That just comes with playing tournaments and being experienced and knowing what the conditions are like.
I definitely feel like I'm a more disciplined and more experienced player than I was a couple of years ago. I can see nothing but a benefit of that this week - Rory McIlroy
The 27 year old feels that discipline will be key to victory after playing four practice rounds in nine days.
"It's a great test of golf," he added. "Every shot you hit, you're under pressure to hit a great shot because you can't really miss it. You have to get the ball in play.
"You just have to be so disciplined. I'm an aggressive player as well. So there's just going to be times where I'm going to have to rein it back a little bit.
"There's so many different ways to play this course and I feel like I've got a good game-plan to know when to be aggressive, when not to.
"Hopefully I can just stick to that and it works out."
McIlroy has finished in the top ten in all of his European Tour events so far this season, winning last time out at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open which his Foundation hosted, and he is full of confidence as he hunts down a fifth Major.
"My recent play has been pretty good," he said. "I feel confident coming in here. I feel like I know what I need to do to give myself a chance to win.
"I feel like I've prepared well, and that's all you can really ask for."
