Rory McIlroy Reflects on US Open Loss and Future Plans

Rory McIlroy reflected on his recent US Open collapse, describing it as a learning experience rather than the toughest defeat of his career. Leading with a two-shot advantage late in the tournament, McIlroy faltered with bogeys on three of the final four holes, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to snatch victory. Despite the disappointment, McIlroy compared it to other losses that had felt worse, such as his collapses at the 2011 Masters and the 2022 Open Championship.

Acknowledging critical mistakes on key putts, McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his play until the closing stretch, describing it as his best performance in such a pressure situation in a long time. He admitted feeling distracted by DeChambeau’s progress in the group behind him, impacting his focus during crucial moments. Reflecting on criticism directed at his caddie, Harry Diamond, McIlroy defended him staunchly, highlighting their successful collaborations and major wins together.

He dismissed pundits’ critiques, noting their absence during his victories and reaffirming his confidence in his team’s decisions. After taking time to process the defeat in solitude, Rory McIlroy appeared relaxed and focused ahead of the Scottish Open, where he aims to defend his title. He emphasized the importance of constructive reflection and learning from setbacks to improve his game moving forward.