Rory McIlroy is not happy with his performance at the Irish Open, especially since he experienced similar disappointment at the US Open earlier this year, where he wasted a huge lead. The Northern Irishman held a one-shot lead going into the final round and even extended that advantage to three shots early on. Unfortunately, that lead evaporated to just one stroke, with Rasmus Hojgaard ultimately claiming victory with a superb 65.
It’s unclear what the main issue is for the 35-year-old, but it’s evident that McIlroy needs to work on his mental game. Despite having key opportunities for birdies, Rory failed to stay focused and capitalize on these chances. A crucial bogey on the 17th hole also played a important role, allowing Hojgaard to secure the win more quickly.
In his post-round interview, Rory expressed gratitude for the immense support from the fans, who have backed him throughout the week. He remains hopeful and eager to return to this venue, aiming for victory next time. The 35-year-old is determined not to be disheartened by this setback, seeing it as a step forward in his progress.
“That roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool,” he said, as quoted by Irish Examiner.
“But from where I was at the start of the week and what I wanted to do, it’s a step in the right direction. You know, if anything, it just whets my appetite even more for Portrush next year.”
The 23-year-old Hojgaard once again demonstrated his amazing talent, confirming why golf experts and fans alike have high expectations for him to become one of the sport’s top players. It must be acknowledged that while the young golfer benefited from some luck at crucial moments, the final round was also quite influenced by Rory McIlroy’s mistakes.
McIlroy felt he had control of the match and was pleased with the rhythm he had during the game. It seemed like he was on track to secure the victory, but bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes proved decisive in determining the winner. Rasmus took full advantage of the opportunities that came his way and ultimately clinched the win.
“I felt like I was in control of the tournament for most of the day.
I felt like I was playing really solid, doing what I needed to do, making a lot of pars, making the odd birdie. Then obviously the two bogeys on 15 and 17 opened the door for someone to have a good finish like what Rasmus did there on the last few holes.”-Rory continued.
Rory McIlroy reflected on his performance, stating that he felt he played well throughout the week. However, he pointed out that missing the green on the 15th hole was a critical error, as it was a spot that should have been avoided. Additionally, he acknowledged misjudging the speed of his first putt on the 17th hole, which contributed to his downfall. Despite his deep disappointment at not winning, McIlroy expressed a determination to focus on the positives and look forward to his next event at Wentworth.
Rory McIlroy’s latest loss has brought back memories of his defeat in the US Open final, where the Northern Irishman had hoped to secure a victory. The 35-year-old golfer likely feels a sense of frustration when he reflects on that moment, as it was a chance to finally win a major after many years of waiting. The popular golfer knows that he needs to improve going forward if he wants to silence his critics and demonstrate his quality.
Rory McIlroy put an accent on his recent disappointments by mentioning that he’s becoming accustomed to narrowly missing out on wins this year. He remains hopeful that his luck will soon change, and he will be able to convert these near-misses into victories.
Rory McIlroy on US Open loss
A few weeks after his dramatic loss at the US Open, the experienced golfer expressed his disappointment with how things turned out but is trying to stay positive, hoping for better outcomes in the future. At 35, he remains optimistic about steering his career in the right direction. While Rory’s name is well-known in the world of golf, he understands that he must continue to prove himself on the course.
“Alone with my thoughts for a couple days, which was good,” McIlroy said.
“They were hard, but at the same time, as each day went by it became easier to focus on the positives and then to think about the future instead of what had just happened.”
Losing at the US Open was much harder to bear than this one.