Rory McIlroy makes brutal admission about his life as a golfer after US Open heartbreak

Rory McIlroy has confessed that his relentless commitment to golf has often prevented him from “enjoying” his victories. The Northern Irish golfer, still smarting from his near-miss at the US Open last month, has pledged to alter his mindset. The 35 year old provided a rare glimpse into the pressures of top-tier golf as he reflected on his career. He is still coming to terms with narrowly missing out on ending his decade-long wait for a fifth major championship win, having finished second at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, McIlroy ended up one shot behind winner Bryson DeChambeau after leading with just five holes remaining. His missed two short putts in the final three holes handed victory to his American competitor. Since this setback, the four-time major champion has taken time for introspection, taking nearly a month off before returning to the game. Speaking to The Telegraph at The Renaissance Club, he admitted: “I need to take a step back and appreciate what I’ve done in my career and in my life and enjoy my success. I don’t really enjoy my success and I haven’t I would say for the last five.”

McIlroy has opened up about his need for a break from the sport, admitting: “I haven’t been on a vacation in probably four or five years. So I think just stepping back and enjoying myself a little bit more away from my game is the thing. Have some fun. “I live on a golf course and it’s so easy to just go out there at 7pm and hit a few balls. So I think being able to just get away from it and give yourself that free headspace of not thinking about golf is a good thing.” The world No. 2 also shared his plans for a more enjoyable future, saying: “I’m committed to having more fun going forward,” as he discussed coping with recent challenges.

He added his love for exploration and gastronomy: “I like travelling, I like seeing new places. Going up to New York after Pinehurst, I enjoy that. I enjoy eating at new restaurants and going to new vineyards and enjoying new wines. A bit of a foodie. I enjoy seeing new parts of the world.” Despite securing 26 titles on the PGA Tour, McIlroy’s quest for the elusive green jacket at the Masters continues, with his closest attempt being a runner-up finish in 2022, a testament to his already remarkable legacy in the game. With his last major victory being the 2014 US PGA Championship, he is hopeful that his recent disappointment at the US Open can serve as a catalyst to end his drought especially with The Open at Royal Troon looming. However, the crowd’s favourite is acutely aware of how close he came to glory at Pinehurst.