Rory McIlroy breaks silence after blowing late lead at 2024 U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy had a Sunday to forget at the 2024 U.S. Open.

As the Northern Irishman closed in on his first major win since 2014, he bogeyed three of the last four holes and missed two putts within four feet.

This disastrous finish handed the lead, and his second U.S. Open trophy, to Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy left the Pinehurst course quickly and without speaking to reporters.

He remained silent for about a day before breaking his silence with a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Here’s what McIlroy had to say about his U.S. Open collapse, DeChambeau, and his future in golf.

 

What did Rory McIlroy say in his statement?

McIlroy addressed his U.S. Open performance in a statement posted to X on Monday.

“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy wrote. “… 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 congratulated DeChambeau in his statement, calling him “a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now.”

DeChambeau, after his U.S. Open win, remarked on McIlroy’s collapse, predicting that McIlroy will win another major soon.

“For him to miss that putt, I would never wish that on anybody,” DeChambeau said. “I think that fire in him is only going to continue to grow. He’s going to win more major championships.”

pic.twitter.com/fD9NvqFXav

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 17, 2024

 

What’s next for McIlroy?

As for McIlroy’s future, he plans to keep playing but will take a few weeks off to process the situation.

“I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have,” McIlroy wrote. “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.”

McIlroy said he will be back golfing at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon in July.