Rory McIlroy has suggested that he was potentially even more devastated after failing to win one tournament than he was after his agonising final round at the US Open last month.
Rory McIlroy is preparing for his return to competitive golf at this week’s Scottish Open, with the Northern Irishman taking some time out of the spotlight after what happened on Sunday at Pinehurst when he lost by one to Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy seemed to have the tournament in his grasp, having led by two shots at one stage going down the back nine in North Carolina. However, a couple of big mistakes opened the door for DeChambeau to win his second major title.
McIlroy seemed to be absolutely devastated to miss out, leaving the course almost at the moment the result was confirmed. DeChambeau was reportedly surprised to find out McIlroy had already left.
Rory McIlroy says 2008 tournament hurts more than US Open loss
But it seems that that may not have been the most hurtful loss of McIlroy’s career, with the 35-year-old telling his press conference ahead of the Scottish Open that being denied a first European Tour title at the Omega European Masters almost 16 years ago may have stung even more.
“I still think about the short missed putt I missed at Crans-sur-Sierre in 2008 in the play off, so you think about all of them,” he said.
“I was probably more devastated after that because it was my rookie year on tour and I hadn’t won yet. I remember feeling really bad after that for a good week.
“I stewed on what happened at Pinehurst for a couple of days but thankfully I can go home and look at what I have achieved in the game and feel okay about myself.
“It was a great opportunity, it passed me by, but hopefully the next time it won’t pass me by.”
Response is going to be fascinating to watch
McIlroy would have to wait just a few months for that first European Tour win, and it would not be too long before he was in the big time, winning at Quail Hollow on the PGA Tour.
So he will have absolutely no doubts about winning again after what happened at the US Open. In fact, he seems to have a fresh determination to make sure that Pinehurst does not define his major legacy since 2014.
The problem is replicating the pressure of coming down the stretch while in contention in a major championship is nearly impossible, so it is so difficult to know how McIlroy will respond if he finds himself in that position again.
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