Rory McIlroy Reflects on Tough Open Championship Exit

Rory McIlroy attributed his early exit from this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon to his inability to handle the blustery conditions over the first two rounds. McIlroy opened with a 78 on Thursday, setting up a tough challenge to make the cut. His hopes faded further on Friday after dropping six shots over four holes early in his round, including a triple-bogey eight at the fourth. Despite rallying later to post a 75, he ended 11 over par.

McIlroy reflected on his performance, stating, “I didn’t adapt well at all on Thursday to the left-right wind on the back nine, and this afternoon [Friday] going out in that gusty wind on the front, it got the better of me.” His rough start included bogeys at the third, fifth, and sixth holes. Once the winds eased, he played the remaining holes more comfortably, ending his round with two birdies.

He acknowledged his slim chances of making the cut after a poor start in the second round, admitting, “Once I made the eight on the fourth hole that was it. After that I’m thinking about where I’m going to go on vacation next week.” Despite his struggles, McIlroy remained optimistic, looking forward to the upcoming Olympics in Paris where he will represent Team Ireland alongside Shane Lowry.

He also aimed to compete for the Race to Dubai crown and the FedEx Cup. Reflecting on his season, Rory McIlroy noted, “The majors have come and gone, so time to refocus and reset for the Olympics which will be another cool experience. Then I’m in contention to win both titles either side of the Atlantic.” His quest for a major title, his first since 2014, will now continue into 2025.