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PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Rory McIlroy is sure glad to be back at the PGA Championship. It showed. Having endured plenty of wayward shots this season, the 24-year-old was feeling more positive about his game after opening with a 1-under 69 on Thursday at Oak Hill in the final major of the year. He probably hasnt felt this good since last years PGA blowout at Kiawah Island, where he was on top of the golf world after a record eight-stroke victory. Sure, its a different course. But McIlroy will take any little edge he can get. "To come back here, it gives me some confidence," he said. Taking advantage of a venerable course softened up by overnight showers, McIlroy played especially well on the front nine other than knocking his ball in the water at No. 5, leading to a bogey. Four birdies put him on the leaderboard at the turn with a 3-under 32. Alas, he couldnt keep it going. The back side started with back-to-back bogeys before play was halted because of approaching thunderstorms. Still, it had to be encouraging to McIlroy that he pulled himself together during the 71-minute break. He birdied the 12th, shook off a bogey at the 17th and scrambled for par at the final hole after an errant tee shot. Asked if he considered the round a success or just plain frustrating, McIlroy left no doubt where he stood. "Today was definitely positive," he said. "I felt like I played really, really well." Certainly good compared to the way its gone most of the year. After changing equipment, McIlroy has been trying desperately to recapture the form that carried him to dominant victories in both of his major championships. McIlroy wasnt much of a factor at either the Masters or the U.S. Open, and was downright lost at the British Open three weeks ago. He opened with an 8-over 79, pretty much assuring he wouldnt make it to the weekend before he even got to Friday, the most embarrassing moment coming when he putted his ball into a bunker. "Sometimes, I feel like Im walking out there and Im unconscious," he moaned at the time. "Its a very alien feeling." McIlroy thought about consulting a sports psychologist, but didnt follow through. He dismissed the advice of six-time major champion Nick Faldo, who suggested McIlroy was spending too much time worrying about his off-the-course pursuits. The youngster just kept heading to the range, confident he would eventually sort things out. This seemed to be a step in the right direction. Now, hes got to do it again. The goal is "consistency day to day or hole to hole, focus on each and every shot and try not to think ahead too much or think about anything else and really just focus on my shot," McIlroy said. "That is what Im trying to do." He is four strokes behind co-leaders Jim Furyk and Adam Scott. "You get off to a good start tomorrow," McIlroy said, sounding much more hopeful, "you are right there." 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Although hes just 28, San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills has long been a source of pride for Australians.After honing his basketball skills at the Australian Institute of Sport, he made a name for himself in the United States as a collegian at Saint Marys. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and spent two seasons in the Pacific Northwest. He joined the Spurs in 2011 and won an NBA championship in his third season in San Antonio.Now heading into his eighth NBA season, hes moving into elite company in terms of longevity, with only two Australians having played more seasons in the league -- Andrew Bogut (11 and counting) and Luc Longley (10). We recently caught up with Mills to discuss his homeland, the upcoming season, the Rio Olympics, footy and more.Q: How satisfying was it to bring the NBA championship trophy home to Australia in 2014?A: Huge, mate. Really huge. Australia hasnt experienced the NBA in any form or fashion ever, so having that opportunity to not only win the championship, but to take it home to let other people experience. ... At the time, it was me and Aron Baynes on the team, and we felt that support [from Australian fans] throughout the whole season. So I felt it was only the right thing to take the trophy back and let them experience it as well, because to an extent, they were a huge part of it as well. So going back and sharing it was very important. We took it to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns [Baynes hometown] ... and up to the Torres Strait, where my family is from. Its one of those things that gives me the tingles thinking about doing that. Im very proud of that.Q: How does the retirement of Tim Duncan change the chemistry of the Spurs this season?A: Theres obviously an empty feeling in the locker room and on the court, and theres no way to fill that. Tim Duncan has been here for millions of years, and theres no way you can fill that. But I might say that weve all done a great job in trying to pick up his slack to the best of our ability -- to understand that weve got another year here where were trying to reach the Finals again and put ourselves in the best position to hopefully win another championship.Q: How do you see the prospects for the Spurs this season -- especially considering the attention the Golden State Warriors are getting after adding Kevin Durant?A: That hasnt changed from year to year. Weve always been able to go about our business and slide under the radar, and whatever else happens around the league doesnt really bother us. Were really focused on ourselves and how well we can play -- strengthening our weaknesses and getting everyone to buy into our culture and onto the same page. Whatever else goes around the league is beside the point for us.Q: You take a lot of pride in your homeland. How does that manifest itself in your style of play and the way you carry yourself?A: It definitely carries over a lot of passion and pride in who I am and where I come from and making sure I represent those people the right way. And I think that mental attitude I take to everything I do, no matter what it is ... because I want to bring the best out of myself. For me, thats just a small motivation that adds fuel to the fire that I use to get myself going to try and achieve great things.Q: Now that youve had some time to reflect on the Olympics, how do you assess Australias performance in Rio -- in particular, the Boomers narrow bronze-medal game loss to Spain?A: Its one of those things tthats going to sting and hurt for a while, but I have had time to reflect on it.dddddddddddd Its a bitter feeling, because we did try very hard to win a medal and create history for Australia. We fell short [Spain won 89-88] by millimeters or by seconds or however you want to see it. Now Im teammates with one of those guys [Pau Gasol] who won the bronze medal, so I cant complain a whole lot. But from an Australian point-of-view, the feedback we got when we arrived back in Australia was really comforting. It was really good to know how many people followed our journey -- but not only followed it, they felt like a part of our journey from the beginning until the end. They rode our highs, and they rode our lows as well.Q: You were once pursued by the AFLs Sydney Swans. Do you ever consider what might have been if you had decided to play professional Australian rules football?A: I still do every now and again when I watch a game or I watch the Grand Final. Thats a good story that not a lot of people know. I love playing my footy, and I miss it. I have a Sherrin [AFL game ball] in my locker at the moment, actually, that I bring out onto the court to kick around with the boys.Q: Youre heading into your sixth season with San Antonio. Are you beginning to pick up any of the Texas accent?A: You tell me, mate! Well, this is my sixth season, and the South twang is very hard to ignore. But I think Im doing a decent job of it so far.Q: What do you think of the food in San Antonio?A: I love it. I love other cultures. Theres a Hispanic culture here with Tex-Mex. Theres a country culture with Texas barbecue. I love being amidst it and sampling new stuff. Six out of the 10 years that Ive been in the States have been here in San Antonio. So a big part of my life is here.Q: You will be a free agent next offseason. How much will the opportunity to be a starter influence your decision on where to play?A: Its a factor that I cant ignore. Ive obviously wanted to be a starting point guard in the NBA for a long time as a goal. But you know, every situation is different, and Ive learned stuff along the way. I think Im a better point guard now than I was when I first came to San Antonio. That credit goes to the environment here and how Ive been able to develop my game. Thats something that Im going to have to consider. Its not the be-all and end-all of my decision, but well see when it comes. This is obviously a big year for our team and trying to be able to concentrate and stay focused team-wise on trying to get to that next level of a championship. But if I can concentrate and focus on this team and what I can do to help this team, I think everything else will take care of itself.Q: Youre a long way from the end of your career, but would you have interest in playing in the Australian NBL (National Basketball League) when youre done competing in the NBA?A: Its definitely a consideration -- especially how well the NBL is doing now. They have my full backing and support, because the league has definitely risen to a whole other level in the last couple years, which is pleasing to see. I definitely would consider playing back in Australia at the end of my career. Not a lot of my family have been able to come over [to the U.S.] and watch me play. To be able to play in front of family and friends is very important to me, [so they could] be able to see me play live and not just on TV. Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys Disocunt Football Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China NFL Jerseys From China Wholesale Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store ' ' '