To say that Rory McIlroy had an eventful week at the US Open would probably be a huge understatement, with the Northern Irishman dominating many of the headlines coming out of Oakmont.
Rory McIlroy is highly unlikely to have too many tied 19th finishes in his career which attract quite the same amount of attention as what happened at the US Open last week.
McIlroy faced an uphill battle just to make the cut at Oakmont. But it was his decision not to speak to the media after his rounds on Thursday and Friday which attracted a lot of criticism and frustration.
When McIlroy did speak to the press on Saturday, his attitude was prickly – to put it kindly. He suggested that he was annoyed with members of the media, and admitted thinking that he had earned the right to do whatever he wanted.
What Rory McIlroy has done this week which has left Alan Shipnuck stunned
Of course, this comes off the back of McIlroy completing the career grand slam in April at The Masters. The 36-year-old noted ahead of the Canadian Open that finding the motivation to practice had been difficult since winning the green jacket.
It seems that he desperately needs a break from the game. And speaking on Indo Sport, golf writer Alan Shipnuck noted that he is baffled to see McIlroy teeing it up this week at Travelers Championship.
“Clearly, it would have been better for Rory if The Masters was in September and he could have taken six months off. I can’t believe he’s playing this week in Connecticut. I’m shocked. If I’m Rory, I just say my back is tight and take a week off. Why is he doing it to himself? Why is he putting himself through it? It’s incredible. He just looks so miserable on the golf course, and obviously it’s affecting his play,” he said.
“Quail Hollow, ‘Rory McIlroy Country Club’, he went there with a chance to win the calendar grand slam. I don’t blame him at Oakmont, once he got off to a bad start, he was done. But Portrush is going to be fascinating theatre, and if he can dig deep and find something there, but if he doesn’t, I’m definitely concerned about what it means going forward.”
Why Rory McIlroy skipped the Travelers Championship in 2024
McIlroy is making his return to Travelers Championship this year. He has played in the event five times previously – and finished in the top 20 every single time.
His best result came in 2023 when he finished in a tie for seventh at TPC River Highlands.
However, there was a very good reason that he decided to not play in the event 12 months ago. Of course, it was off the back of his agonising second place finish at the US Open at Pinehurst.
On that occasion, McIlroy did decide to take some time away from the game, waiting almost a month before returning at the Scottish Open.
Clearly, many think that a similar break this time around could also be beneficial.
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