Rory McIlroy’s 2024 Irish Open campaign came to a disappointing end. Everything looked to be going right for him during the final round stretch up until the 17th green, where he missed an important par putt, which resulted in a bogey. But his words after the tournament revealed a deeper story rooted in his heartbreaking US Open miss. This experience seemed to spark a renewed sense of appreciation and humility.
At Pinehurst this year, the Northern Irishman left the course when Bryson DeChambeau birdied the last hole to clinch the US Open title. This left fans angry, as they felt taken for granted for cheering for the golfer until the very end. He also did not speak to the press, obviously at that time. But this was not the case in the golfer’s homeland, as he finally decided not to take the unconditional support he gets for granted by any means.
In the post-tournament presser, when asked to appreciate the fans and his home crowd, the golfer humbly replied, “Yeah, the support; I’m very lucky. I get so much support when I come back. I certainly don’t take it for granted. I sort of had to try to keep my composure walking up to the 18th green there. But I did that as best as I could, but yeah, I wish I could play in front of those fans and this atmosphere every week; it isn’t quite like that. Yeah, I personally appreciate all the support, and I can’t wait to come back.”
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Reflecting on the play he had on the final day, McIlroy felt that he held it strong for the most part. But the bogeys on the 15th and 17th opened the doors for Rasmus Hojgaard, who didn’t slack and birdied his final three holes. As a result, the Northern Irishman lost the game by a mere 1 stroke.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jun 13, 2024; Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy reacts after putting on the eighteenth green during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
He acknowledged the tiny margins that separated victory from defeat. “Yeah, unfortunately, I played well this week,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “Missing the green right on 15 was the place that you can’t go. And just misjudged the speed with the first putt on 17.” Those two moments, he knew, had made all the difference, and it did. However, an eagle on the 18th could have forced a playoff, but tough luck, and he carded a birdie.
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What could have helped McIlroy learn the importance of the support he gets from his fans and media? Could it be the backlash he faced after the 2024 US Open? One can definitely assume that.
A lesson learned: How did Rory McIlroy’s fans weigh in on his US Open exit?
The aftermath of McIlroy’s US Open exit saw a flurry of comments from fans, many of whom felt let down by his swift departure without addressing the media. The Northern Irish star’s sloppy finish included three bogeys in the last four holes. It was eclipsed only by the agony of a missed three-foot putt on the final hole.
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One fan’s scathing comment summed it up: “Doesn’t make the PGA look any better. Bryson talks to fans, stays and signs autos, respects all the USGA members. Rory dips out, pissed off, declines interviews, doesn’t congratulate Bryson on his win. I get you’ve choked 10 years in a row, but damn man, have some class.” The reason for the backlash was also that when the LIV golfer missed out on the PGA Championship title by 1 stroke, he stood there, and waited for Xander Schauffele to finish his game. DeChambeau shook hands with Schauffele, and congratulated him, any of which McIlroy didn’t do.
However, McIlroy’s heartfelt words at the Irish Open suggest that he’s taken those criticisms to heart. He now commits to showing more appreciation for fans and the game, a promising sign he’s learned from past mistakes.
