Rory McIlroy has revealed what Michael Jordan told him as the basketball legend reached out to the Northern Irishman in the wake of his agonising finish at the US Open last month.
Rory McIlroy will likely still be coming to terms with what happened at Pinehurst last month, with the 35-year-old on pole position to clinch his fifth major title. McIlroy, at one stage, held a two shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau on the back nine on Sunday at the US Open.
DeChambeau did brilliantly to go on and win, but obviously, McIlroy may always be haunted by the two putts he missed on 16 and 18 as he finished with three bogeys on his final four holes.
McIlroy has never had a better opportunity to secure that fifth major title. And given how strong his position was, he may have concerns about what may happen if he finds himself in a similar position in the future.
What Michael Jordan messaged Rory McIlroy after US Open heartbreak
It was clear how devastated McIlroy was to miss out. DeChambeau was surprised to hear that McIlroy had left the course immediately after his winning putt. So it is not a shock to hear some sporting greats reached out to the European to offer their commiserations.
Speaking to the Guardian, McIlroy shared the two standout names who sent him a message.
“Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan,” he said. “Two of the most unbelievable competitors that have ever been in sport. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th but both of them got in touch very, very quickly.
“They just told me to keep going. MJ reminded me of how many game-winning shots he missed. Really nice.”
Northern Irishman needs to evoke memories of 2011 at Royal Troon
The challenge for McIlroy is going to be making sure he gets the job done if he finds himself in a similar position again in the future. Ultimately, replicating the pressure of the majors is nearly impossible for someone who has achieved so much in the game already.
He will hope that he responds in the same way he did after his collapse in the final round of the 2011 Masters when he threw the tournament away. Of course, he would then blow the field away at the US Open immediately after.
The Open Championship is just around the corner, and he showed some promising signs at the Scottish Open last week.
And if he can win that fifth major, six, seven and eight will feel so much closer.
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