Rory McIlroy receives 11-word response from PGA Tour star after US Open decision
Rory McIlroy’s Bold Decision: PGA Tour Star Backs Hiatus After US Open Heartbreak
In a dramatic turn of events following the US Open, Rory McIlroy has decided to step away from the golf course temporarily. This decision comes after a gut-wrenching near-miss at Pinehurst, where McIlroy, on the cusp of ending a decade-long drought of major titles, faltered with two missed putts. These critical errors opened the door for Bryson DeChambeau to clinch his second US Open victory, leaving McIlroy devastated.
McIlroy took to social media to share his thoughts on the challenging day, calling it possibly the toughest of his professional career. He announced, “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. See you in Scotland.”
Amidst a wave of criticism for declining post-tournament interviews and withdrawing from the upcoming Travelers Championship, McIlroy found an ally in fellow PGA Tour star Xander Schauffele. Schauffele, who recently shed his own burden of being the best player without a major win, empathized with McIlroy’s decision to take a break.
“He needs some time away to figure out what’s going on,” Schauffele remarked. He elaborated, “As a competitor, all of us have had our highs and lows to a certain degree. It’s a tough spot. I’m sure he and his team are discussing what happened. Sometimes you just need to step away from it all and really try to be as objective as possible because you’re very much in the moment there, and it obviously didn’t go his way.”
Having celebrated his major success at the PGA Championship last month, Schauffele understands the immense pressure that accompanies high expectations. He acknowledged the unique scrutiny McIlroy faces, stating, “It’s different for everyone. It’s hard for me to compare my losses to his losses. I would say he’s under a bit more of a microscope.”
Schauffele further highlighted the dual nature of fame for a player of McIlroy’s caliber, noting that intense public attention follows both triumphs and setbacks. “When things are going really well people are all over him, and unfortunately, when things don’t go your way people are all over him,” he added. “So, there’s a microscope on him on why he didn’t win and things of that nature and he’s going to have to answer those questions at some point and he will, because he always does. So, for me, I wear them pretty hard, but sometimes it’s nice to just get back on the horse and compete.”
As McIlroy takes this time to recalibrate, he will miss the Travelers Championship, set to commence in Cromwell, Connecticut. However, he remains focused on his upcoming commitments in Scotland. On social media, McIlroy not only congratulated DeChambeau on his victory but also expressed his resolve to overcome this setback. “As I reflect on my week, I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day,” he wrote. “But, as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.”
In a resilient tone, McIlroy emphasized his belief in his abilities, stating, “As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have. The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I’ve shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.”
As fans and fellow competitors await his return, McIlroy’s journey of resilience and determination continues to inspire, leaving the golfing world eager to see what the future holds for this tenacious champion.
