McIlroy does the Rocky thing on eve of US Open

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, tees off on the 18th hole during practice for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Merion Golf Club, Wednesday, June 12, 2013, in Ardmore, Pa. AP/Morry Gash

ARDMORE, Pennsylvania — Rory McIlroy took the chance to re-enact a scene from the Rocky movie before teeing off in the U.S. Open.

The world’s No. 2 ranked player said earlier this week that he was “half-thinking” of heading into Philadelphia to the spot where the fictional Rocky Balboa jumped up and down triumphantly after running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

On Wednesday the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland tweeted: “Can’t come to Philadelphia and not see the ‘Rocky’ steps!!” along with a photo, shot from behind, that shows a jubilant figure with arms raised

Rocky-style and wearing a Phillies baseball cap backward.

The museum is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Merion Golf Club, where McIlroy and the rest of the U.S. Open field tee off Thursday.