Rory McIlroy confirmed he will take a break from golf after his disappointment at The Open.
The Northern Irishman recorded a 71 in round four, finishing his tournament on one-under-par, as he missed out on his second major of the year.
McIlroy performed well off the tee, but his approach shots struggled, and he could not find his way around the greens.
The Masters champion shared he will take some time away from the sport to reflect on this year’s success.
He said: “I was just sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.
“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. It was just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.
“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously I won the first major of the year and fell off a little bit after that – but any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.
“I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate that. Poppy’s got another four weeks off school until she goes back, so I’m just going to enjoy the summer holidays with her and Erica. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Rory McIlroy announced that he will take a break from golf
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GETTY
McIlroy previously said he feels he can pick and choose what tournaments he plays in after completing the career Grand Slam.
When asked if it was true that playing consistently on the PGA Tour no longer got his “juices flowing”, the 37-year-old said: “Yes, that’s fair.
“I think it just sort of ebbs and flows. There’s been years where I’ve given it maybe more of my attention and years that I haven’t.
“I guess I’m just at a stage that I have other things that I prioritise. I came to that decision last year, and I’m just sort of doing the same thing.”
McIlroy previously said he feels he can pick and choose what tournaments he plays in
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REUTERS
It was a disappointing final round for the Masters champion, shooting a 71 and finishing one-over-par.
The Northern Irishman also hit out at LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau after he was given a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the par-four fifth in round two.
In harsh criticism of the American, McIlroy said: “Late night for everyone. I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him.
“I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that, and to have all of us, players, volunteers, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
Five things to know about Rory McIlroy | GB NEWS/GETTY
McIlroy continued: “I was watching it live. I was up in the players’ lounge watching it with a few other players, and as soon as he made the step into the ball, we all sort of looked at each other and were like ‘that didn’t seem right’.
“Then when I heard that he was called in by the rules officials, it was pretty obvious why. I think there’s no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing.
“Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don’t think it matters. Hopefully it was careless, but I think the two-shot penalty was justified for sure.”
The Northern Irishman was cheekily asked if it would be good to see DeChambeau at the Irish Open, responding: “I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yes, it would be great for the tournament.”
