Rory McIlroy sums up another miserable major championship experience

Rory McIlroy says he remains upbeat for the future despite another frustrating performance in a major at the 2024 PGA Championship.

Johnny Percival

20 May 2024

By his own high standards, the US PGA Championship was another disappointing major week for Rory McIlroy.

The world number three by no means had a horror show akin to his missed cut at The Masters last year; however, heading into the week, fresh off back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour, he would have likely fancied himself to finish better than tied for 12th.

Following a promising opening round of 68, McIlroy was in a favourable position to make a charge. However, the competition was fierce, and he struggled to gain momentum on Friday, carding a level par round while many of his peers went well under par.

A strong start on Saturday put McIlroy in a promising position; however, his putter went stone cold on the back nine, and by the end of moving day, his chances of a fifth major were all but done.

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A final round 67 looked like a good day's work, but McIlroy ended up nine shots behind eventual winner Xander Schauffele.

Much like a number of his major championship performances in recent years, McIlroy has shown flashes of brilliance. Still, in spite of that, he's been unable to get anything across the line.

Sitting down to chat with reporters after his final round, McIlroy was asked about his week's work.

He said:

"Obviously started the week well, and then I've obviously played decent over the weekend.
"As I said, that sort of six-hole stretch on the back nine yesterday, not being able to hole any putts, I'll probably rue that.
"Then the 71 on Friday, as well, was obviously not what I was looking for. Obviously put myself too far back."

McIlroy went on to be questioned about the state of his game and how he sees the rest of the major season panning out.

He added:

"Yeah, I'm feeling good about that. I've been on a big stretch of golf here. I think this was my sixth event in seven weeks.
"I've got a week off and then I'm playing another four in a row. I'm feeling good about my game.
"I feel like things are sort of clicking more, especially after the win in New Orleans. Obviously played well last week in Charlotte.
"Have a week here to sort of reset and try to get going again."

The next time we will see McIlroy tee it up at a major will be the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 in June.

McIlroy has an outstanding record at the US Open and has failed to finish outside the top ten in his last eight attempts.

He came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy for a second time last year at LA Country Club, eventually losing out by a single stroke to Wyndham Clark.

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