The largest story popping out of this week’s Genesis Scottish Open is how Rory McIlroy will play after taking his hiatus from golf following a disastrous end on the U.S. Open final month.
McIlroy infamously missed quick putts on Nos. 16 and 18 at Pinehurst No. 2, which in the end led Bryson DeChambeau to win by one stroke after an amazing bunker shot resulting in a par to complete 6-under for the match.
McIlroy, who rapidly rushed out of Pinehurst, launched a press release the next day saying he can be taking a break from golf till the Scottish Open.
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How is he feeling now?
“I acquired over it fairly rapidly,” he admitted throughout a information convention at The Renaissance Club, by way of ESPN. “The few days after it had been fairly robust at instances, however I really feel like I’ve achieved an excellent job of enthusiastic about it rationally and constructively and taking what I would like from it and attempting to be taught from it. But, like for probably the most half, it was an amazing day. I hold saying to folks, ‘It was an amazing day till it wasn’t.'”
McIlroy introduced up the primary missed putt – a 2 ½ footer on No. 16 at Pinehurst – that he stated began to make him really feel uncomfortable on the greens.
RORY MCILROY BREAKS SILENCE AFTER CRUSHING LOSS AT US OPEN, STEPPING AWAY FROM GOLF TO ‘PROCESS EVERYTHING’
He had already carded a bogey on No. 15, and after hitting it too onerous and watching the ball lip out, one other sq. went on the cardboard.
“Like midway down the primary putt, it seemed prefer it may very well be a birdie, and it ran a foot by the place I assumed it was going to complete,” McIlroy stated about his first putt try on No. 16. “Then I marked it, after which Patrick was hitting his putt, and he can take his time. Obviously, greens are robust. It’s the tip of a Sunday on the U.S. Open. Like you need to be actually deliberate in what you are doing.”
McIlroy stated his par putt wasn’t horrible, “however I undoubtedly felt somewhat little bit of uneasiness earlier than I hit it.”
Looking to no less than drive a playoff, McIlroy, who hasn’t gained a serious since 2014 regardless of being the No. 2-ranked golfer on this planet, hit his tee shot into Pinehurst treacherous native space, however was in a position to hit an iron shot simply in need of the inexperienced earlier than a chip left him with 4 ft.
Rory McIlroy smiles on the second gap through the Pro-Am previous to the Genesis Scottish Open on July 10, 2024. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
A par would’ve compelled DeChambeau to birdie to win it outright, or the match would’ve gone to a playoff. This time, McIlroy stated he hit it too smooth.
“I simply left it on the improper facet of the opening,” McIlroy defined “I acquired above the opening, the place the opening was reduce on prime of the little slope and ended up fairly dry and crusty across the gap. And the chip shot simply ran out somewhat bit and acquired previous the opening. I hit that putt very, very straightforward, and clearly simply missed on the low facet and it nonetheless went an excellent 3 or 4 ft by.”
Even the most effective golfers can discover it onerous on any given day to ship in a single side of their sport, which McIlroy confirmed at Pinehurst. But, regardless of saying it was one of many hardest moments of his profession, coping with adversity is paramount to maintain enjoying on the highest stage.
“I feel as you obtain extra within the sport, you possibly can soften the blow, when you take a look at every part I’ve been in a position to accomplish,” McIlroy stated. “It’s been some time since I’ve gained a serious. It harm, however I felt worse after another losses. I felt worse after Augusta in ’11, and I felt worse after St Andrews [the 2022 Open Championship]. It was up there with the robust losses, however not the hardest.”
Rory McIlroy laughs in a press convention following the Pro-Am previous to the Genesis Scottish Open on July 10, 2024. (Harry How/Getty Images)
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McIlroy’s return this week comes with defending a title, as he’s the reigning Genesis Scottish Open champion, beating out Robert MacIntyre by one stroke final yr.
While he does have his sights on getting again within the winner’s circle right here, McIlroy could have the possibility to interrupt that main drought with the fourth and remaining one of many season subsequent week: The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland.
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