Rory McIlroy parks season for family break after Open frustration
After finishing 1 under at Royal Birkdale, Rory McIlroy said he will take time away to enjoy his Masters win with family.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Rory McIlroy is stepping away from tournament golf for a spell after a flat Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where the world No. 2 finished 1 under and admitted he could not get his week moving.
ESPN News Services reported that McIlroy, who won the Masters for a second time in April, plans to use the break to finally enjoy that victory. The Northern Irishman said his daughter Poppy has four weeks left before school resumes, and he wants to spend the summer holiday with her and Erica.
McIlroy told reporters he had not properly marked the Masters triumph yet. “I haven't really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate that,” he said.
A flat week at Birkdale
McIlroy’s Open never caught fire. According to ESPN News Services, his driving was strong, but his iron play and putting did not match it across the four rounds.
He described the performance in plain terms after finishing outside the top 30 for the second straight major since winning at Augusta.
“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,” McIlroy said. “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.”
The result still lands inside a season that includes a green jacket. McIlroy, now a six-time major champion, said a year with a major title in it has to be viewed positively, even if the months after Augusta have dipped.
“This season feels very similar to last season,” he said. “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.”
Picking his spots
McIlroy, 37, has previously said he is in a place where he can be more selective with his schedule. Asked whether the grind of playing week after week on the PGA Tour no longer stirred him in the same way, he answered: “Yes, that's fair.”
He said his commitment to the week-to-week schedule has shifted at different points in his career, and that he has other priorities now. McIlroy told reporters he reached that view last year and is continuing with it.
DeChambeau comments linger
The Birkdale week also included sharp remarks from McIlroy about Bryson DeChambeau. ESPN News Services reported that DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty after officials ruled he improved his lie by stepping down long grass near his ball.
McIlroy called the ruling “pretty obvious,” said he was “not particularly fond of” DeChambeau, and described the American’s conduct as “performative” after DeChambeau spoke with officials and later hit balls on the range after dark, according to the report.
Asked whether he would welcome DeChambeau at the Irish Open in September, McIlroy said his presence would help the event.
“I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely,” McIlroy said. “Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yes, it would be great for the tournament.”
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.