A day after a stunning and potentially career-defining collapse at the US Open at Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy has spoken.
The four-time major winner, who came agonizingly close to his fifth, released a statement on Monday discussing his collapse and congratulating winner and rival Bryson DeChambeau. It’s the first time the crowd has heard of McIlory since Sunday’s finish, in which DeChambeau rose and fell from a bunker at 18 to beat McIlory by one stroke.
McIlroy was last seen via NBC cameras watching anxiously as DeChambeau took advantage of McIlory’s nine blunders en route to the victory. McIlory then got into his car to leave the clubhouse without addressing the media.
McIlroy acknowledged on Monday what was obvious to anyone who saw a first major victory since 2014 slip from his grasp. Sunday was “probably the toughest” day of his career as a professional golfer.
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my almost 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy wrote.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.”
McIlroy then lamented the two missed putts on the back nine, which combined to leave him one stroke behind DeChambeau’s head after 72 holes. After making each of his previous 496 putts within three feet this season, he missed short putts on 16 and 18 that added up to six feet, three inches — misses that have the potential to burn into McIlroy’s psyche for the foreseeable future. linger.
Instead, he promised to look ahead — once he finishes processing Sunday.
“When I look back on my week, I will have a number of regrets over the course of the tournament, especially the two missed putts on 16 and 18 and on the final day. But as I always try to do, I will look on the positive points of the week that far outweigh the negative points.
“As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than ever before. The only word I would use to describe my career is resilient. I have shown my resilience time and time again in the past seventeen years and I will do so again.”
McIlroy is taking some time off before switching his focus to the upcoming Scottish Open (July 11-14) and the British Open (July 17-21).
“I’m going to take a few weeks off from competition to process everything and rebuild myself for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon.”
The British Open marks McIlroy’s next and final chance in 2024 to secure a fifth major championship. He previously won the British Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
