Rory McIlroy has finally spoken after his US Open meltdown (Picture: Getty)
Rory McIlroy has announced he will step back from professional golf for a few weeks as the World No.2 broke his silence following his gut-wrenching collapse at the US Open on Sunday.
McIlroy entered the final round trailing America’s Bryson DeChambeau by three shots but found himself with a two-shot lead entering the closing stages at Pinehurst.
However, the Northern Irishman missed two short putts in his final three holes to fall agonisingly short of a fifth major title and his first since 2014.
As DeChambeau wrapped up victory on the 18th hole to claim his second US Open, McIlroy was seen leaving the venue without speaking to the media, but the 35-year-old has now spoken out for the first time on social media.
‘Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,’ he wrote.
‘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.
‘As I reflect on my week, I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives.’
McIlroy was listed in this week’s field for the $20million Travelers Championships but has now withdrawn and will next return to defend his Scottish Open in mid-July prior to the Open Championship – the year’s fourth and final major.
Bryson DeChambeau took advantage of McIlroy’s collapse to claim his second major (Picture: Getty)
‘As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have,’ he continued.
‘The one word that I would describe my career as is resilient. I’ve shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.
‘I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defence of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon.’
McIlroy’s US Open heartbreak marks the latest chapter of a turbulent month both on and off the golf course.
Prior to last month’s US PGA Championship, it was announced that the Northern Irishman would divorce from wife Erica Stroll, but the pair have since called the decision off.
‘Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,’ he confirmed in a statement last week.
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