Carlos Alcaraz opens up on meeting Rory McIlroy at U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy was a conspicuous absentee from the celebrations as Tommy Fleetwood secured his long-awaited first victory on American soil at the PGA Tour's season finale

The Englishman was congratulated by several of his European Ryder Cup teammates on the green after finally getting over the line at the Tour Championship. 

But the reigning Masters champion - a good pal to the 34-year-old - was absolutely nowhere to be seen. 

Turns out McIlroy decided to get on his private jet to New York minutes after he finished $40m tournament to so he could enjoy the 2025 U.S. Open. 

McIlroy is a huge fan of the sport and is routinely spotted in the stands at Flushing Meadows. 

This was the case once again on Monday. The World No.2 and his caddie Harry Diamond were at Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Carlos Alcaraz take on Reilly Opelka in the second round. 

The Spanish second seed, 22, comfortably defeated his American opponent 6-4 7-5 6-4 and paid tribute to the watching McIlroy with a golf swing celebration. 

"It was the first time that I met him," Alcaraz later told reporters after getting a pic with McIlroy.

"It was such an honour. On the last day of the Masters I had just won Monte Carlo and I was on my phone cheering on him.

"It was an unbelievable experience meeting him and having a chance to talk a little bit with him.

"It's just amazing to watch his golf."

McIlroy turns his attentions to Ryder Cup

McIlroy has one week off before he returns to action. 

The 36-year-old will head to the K Club for the 2025 Irish Open over 4-7 September before returning to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship the following week. 

McIlroy finished tied 23rd at the aforementioned Tour Championship.

He started well, firing rounds of 66 and 67 but struggled over the weekend, eventually finishing 12 shots behind the aforementioned Fleetwood. 

McIlroy told reporters he's not thinking about the Ryder Cup just yet. 

He said he wants to create a bit more history on the DP World Tour first and win his seventh Race to Dubai title. 

McIlroy said his game isn't far away, despite not contending in recent starts. 

"I hit it better," he said. "The things that I wanted to improve on this week, I did. Off the tee was much better. I'm probably leading strokes gained off the tee.

"I just couldn't get the speed of the greens all week, and I struggled to see lines and to feel the speed. 

"That was really the story of the week. My putting was so good last week at Caves [Valley],and then my off-the-tee play wasn't good and it sort of just inverted.

"I definitely improved from tee to green this week, and as I said, I just couldn't get a putt to drop. But my game feels close. It certainly isn't far away."