Golf
3 months ago
“Yesterday was a tough day”: McIlroy withdraws from next PGA Tour event after US Open defeat
By Logan Swinkels
Rory McIlroy has been one of golf's most approachable and outspoken characters in recent years throughout all the PGA Tour and LIV Golf developments, all while chasing what he considers to be his legacy.
Monday's final round at the US Open was poised to be a potential crowning moment in his career, only to fall behind on the final holes to winner Bryson DeChambeau, bogeying the 15th, 16th and 18th holes to finish one stroke behind.
But instead of fronting the media as he often does, McIlroy left Pinehurst without a word. That is until now, releasing an official statement via his Instagram today.
"Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer," McIlroy said, while congratulating DeChambeau for winning the U.S. Open for the second time in his career, stating that the American's win is "exactly what professional golf needs right now".
Currently ranked second in the Official World Golf Rankings, McIlroy's last major wins came in 2014 when the Irishman went on an incredible run between July and August that year to win both The Open at Royal Liverpool, plus the PGA Championship for the second time in his career.
McIlroy also won the US Open in 2011, but completing the grand slam by winning The Masters has eluded him throughout his year, his best finish in 2022 saw him finish second, three shots behind Scottie Scheffler.
"As I reflect on my week, I'll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day," McIlroy continued.
"But as I always try to do, I'll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have."
Winning a fifth major has been an ambition that drives the 35-year-old, one that saw Brooks Koepka surpass him on the all-time list when the American won the PGA Championship last year.
And while the images of that missed putt on the 18th at Pinehurst No. 2 has the potential to haunt McIlroy until he reaches that elusive fifth major, it appears to also be a motivating factor for his decision to withdraw from the next PGA Tour event.
"The one word that I would describe my career as is 'resilient' - I've shown my resilience over and over again in the last seventeen years and I will again.
"I'm going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon."
McIlroy finished by saying, "See you in Scotland".
The PGA Tour have officially confirmed that McIlory has pulled out of the Travelers Championship to be held at TPC River Highlands this week, ahead of next month's Scottish Open and The 152nd Open.
