Rory McIlroy’s reaction to losing to Bryson DeChambeau has caused plenty of headlines but Colin Montgomerie has come out to back the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy made the decision to make a quick getaway from Pinehurst as he sought to steer well clear of the celebrations of DeChambeau.
Of course, McIlroy also took a break in the immediate aftermath of the loss and he’s back in action at the Scottish Open this weekend for the first time.
Naturally, McIlroy is in contention to win as the third round continues on in Scotland.
But going back to his reaction at Pinehurst, former Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie has moved to back McIlroy’s decision-making.
Colin Montgomerie backs Rory McIlroy after US Open heartbreak
Speaking to The Times, Montgomerie has backed McIlroy’s decision to leave Pinehurst early, insisting there was nothing to be gained from speaking to the press.
“I understand him not talking to the press,” Montgomerie says of McIlroy. “There is nothing to say apart from negativity.
“What could he say other than, ‘I threw it away?’ Ten years of hurt and ten years of hell in trying to win another came out at the end.
“I thought he was actually very dignified. He didn’t slam doors and rev away. I left Winged Foot and felt I’d let myself down. People wanted me to win a major and I’d let them down, too.
“I think Rory feels that way, too.”
Much like McIlroy, Montgomerie knows a thing or two about losing out in majors when being so close to winning.
Montgomerie is widely regarded as one of the best players to never win a major and while McIlroy has won four, the close calls are similar.
For McIlroy, winning that fifth has almost become an obsession and you get the feeling that once he gets that over the line, more could follow quickly.
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