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Rory McIlroy was seen storming off Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday night after losing by one stroke to Bryson DeChambeau in the U.S. Open. This came after DeChambeau bogeyed three of his final four holes to give the LIV golfer an opening.
But McIlroy broke his silence Monday night in a social media post, saying he was taking a break from golf to recharge and end his streak of no major tournament appearances. He came close to doing so in North Carolina, but his putter betrayed him late on.
“Yesterday was a tough day, perhaps the toughest day in my 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy's statement about X began.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after a birdie on the 10th green during the final round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina on June 16, 2024. (Andrew Reddington/Getty Images)
“Firstly, I'd like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.”
“Looking back on this week, I have some regrets throughout the tournament, particularly missing two putts on the 16th and 18th holes on the final day. But, as always, I'm going to focus on how the good things this week far outweigh the bad things. As I said at the beginning of the tournament, I feel closer than ever to winning my next Major. If there's one word that can sum up my career, it's tenacity. I've shown that tenacity many times over the last 17 years and I intend to continue to show it.”
Bryson DeChambeau wins the 124th U.S. Open, beating Rory McIlroy by one stroke in an emotional finish
McIlroy has withdrawn from next week's PGA Tour event, the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. He will also sit out the Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club and the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois.
Instead, he will return to golf overseas, starting with the Genesis Scottish Open, where he is the reigning champion, before the season's final major championship, the Royal Troon Open, gets underway in mid-July.
“I will be taking a few weeks off work to sort everything out and get fit again for the Genesis Scottish Open and my British Open defence at Royal Troon,” he wrote.
Rory McIlroy hits from the sixth tee box during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. (Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports)
McIlroy concluded his statement by writing, “See you in Scotland,” along with a peace sign emoji.
There were mixed reactions to how McIlroy handled his loss at the 124th U.S. Open. On the one hand, the sympathy for one of the best players in the world who hasn't won a major title in 10 years was tough to watch, especially after he missed putts within five feet for par on the 16th and 18th holes.
If McIlroy had made the short putt on the 18th hole, it would have forced the first combined score playoff in U.S. Open history, but DeChambeau made a miraculous bunker shot to make the par putt and win at 6 under par.
As DeChambeau made the putt, McIlroy was seen in the clubhouse looking dejected, bowing his head and rushing out. Some critics have suggested McIlroy should have shown more sportsmanship by congratulating DeChambeau directly, rather than refusing interviews with reporters and rushing off the course.
McIlroy has experienced many ups and downs throughout his career so emotions were clearly running high at the time, but he considers the loss at Pinehurst to be the toughest of his career.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after finishing the 18th hole during the final round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina on June 16, 2024. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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McIlroy hopes the break will help him regain focus heading into the European part of the season and again become a favorite to win the British Open, his last major tournament in 2014.
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