It’s now been 10 years since Rory McIlroy won a major title, and the Northern Irish golf star feels that the expectations fired his way have become rather ‘unfair’
Rory McIlroy slammed the ‘unfair’ expectations loaded on his shoulders while lamenting the dredging up of past errors – and his US Open heartbreak.
The Northern Ireland standout has been a top-10 mainstay on the professional circuit since 2009 and a leading light in European golf for the best part of fifteen years.
However, despite achieving FedEx Cup glory, multiple Ryder Cup triumphs, and numerous titles on the European and PGA Tours, the taste of major victory has eluded him for a decade now – the pain further punctuated by his narrow miss at a second US Open title this year.
Facing constant reminders of his sporting lows, McIlroy opened up about the strain of enduring scrutiny, and the lofty expectations he now attracts.
“I think what the hard thing is in my position is your disappointments and your mistakes keep getting brought up to you every time that you get in front of a camera or you’re in a press conference or answering questions,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “That’s the tough part of this gig.
“At the same time, I am in a very fortunate position that this is what I get to do for a living. If I have to deal with what people deem are unfair expectations or are held to a higher standard than others, then so be it.
McIlroy crumbled in North Carolina ( Image: (Image: Getty))
“I feel like that’s a very privileged position to be in. I’d much rather have it this way than if people didn’t really care about what I was doing on the golf course. It’s hard because on one hand, I sit here and I’m proud of what I’ve done this year, but then on the other hand I sit here and I am disappointed because of the ones I’ve let get away.”
In a dramatic final round at the 2024 US Open, McIlroy was leading the pack at 8-under before the last few. But, disaster struck as he made three bogeys, including a gut-wrenching two-foot par putt miss on the 16th, allowing DeChambeau to snatch victory from his grasp by a single shot, reports the Express.
“I’d say it was a combination of everything,” McIlroy confessed when reflecting on his disappointment in North Carolina. “I wouldn’t say it’s specifically the putts or the club choices – I think it’s a combination.
“The putt on 16 was probably the one that I’ll look back on most that I’ll regret. But I think if I had made par on 15, do I miss that putt on 16? Also, with the last few holes and with the way Pinehurst flows, I was waiting for Bryson to hit his shots.
“You’re very aware of what’s happening behind you and I needed to do a better job of trying to block that out and I didn’t. It’s hard enough just having to concentrate on yourself and focus on what you’re doing. Whenever your attention is taken away by focusing and looking at what your competitor does, it makes it even more difficult.”
