McIlroy made his first comments since the loss on Monday afternoon by posting a long message on social media about how he feels regarding what happened on Sunday.
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy wrote. “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. 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 feel.”
The move comes on the heels of an excruciating runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, his 11th top-five in a major since he last won one (2014 PGA Championship).
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest l’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlory wrote Monday on Instragram, adding his congratuations to winner Bryson DeChambeau. “… As I reflect on my week, l’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, l’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. … 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.”
McIlroy missed two putts from inside 4 feet on the final three holes at Pinehurst No. 2, and the mistakes opened the door for DeChambeau to win with a tough up-and-down par on 18.
Sunday marked the second U.S. Open title for DeChambeau (2020).
McIlroy, who finished a shot back, is a decade into a vexing drought in the majors.
Northeast native Keegan Bradley won last year’s Travelers Championship, the final Signature Event of the 2024 PGA TOUR season and the only TOUR event in Connecticut (Hartford).
Northeast native Keegan Bradley won last year’s Travelers Championship, the final Signature Event of the 2024 PGA TOUR season and the only TOUR event in Connecticut (Hartford).
Absent McIlroy, the Travelers field still features world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, with his five victories already this season, plus Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sahith Theegala, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more.
McIlroy, who is 35 years old, has achieved top-20 placements in each of his five appearances at TPC River Highlands, with his highest finish being tied for 7th place last year.
He scored a 62 in the first round and ended up tied for 19th place in 2022. Throughout his career, he has maintained an average score of 67.15 in 20 rounds played at this course known for its abundance of birdie opportunities.
McIlroy, a 26-time PGA TOUR winner, has been very productive in the recent months.
His second-place finish at the U.S. Open has helped him move up to FedExCup No. 3 and world No. 2. He has achieved six consecutive top-15 finishes, including wins at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (with Shane Lowry) and the Wells Fargo Championship, which marked his fourth victory in that particular event. McIlroy, the current titleholder, will be competing in the upcoming Genesis Scottish Open, a tournament he won in an exciting manner last year by making an unexpected birdie on the final hole to defeat the local favorite Robert MacIntyre. The Open Championship at Troon will take place the week after the Genesis Scottish Open.
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