Despite yet another disappointing major performance at the 2024 PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy says he is optimistic about the future.
Rory McIlroy’s US PGA Championship was, by his own high standards, just another forgettable major.
While the world number three’s missed cut at The Masters last year was by no means a horror show, coming into the week off back-to-back PGA Tour victories, he would have probably fancied himself to do better than tie for 12th.
After a solid first round of 68, McIlroy was well-positioned to take the lead. But because of the tough competition, he found it difficult to get going on Friday, shooting a level par round when many of his colleagues shot much lower.
McIlroy had a promising start on Saturday, but by the end of moving day, his chances of winning a fifth major were all but gone because of his putter’s collapse on the back nine.
Despite shooting a final round 67 that appeared to be a solid effort, McIlroy finished nine shots behind eventual winner Xander Schauffele.
Like several of his recent major championship performances, McIlroy has displayed moments of brilliance. Nevertheless, he’s been unable to get anything past the finish line.
After his final round, McIlroy sat down to talk with reporters and was questioned about his work for the week.
He said:
“I obviously had a good start to the week, and over the weekend, I obviously played passably.
“Like I mentioned, I’ll probably regret not being able to hole any putts during that six-hole stretch on the back nine yesterday.
“It was also evident that the 71 on Friday was not what I was searching for. Evidently, I went too far back.”
McIlroy was then questioned about his current form and how he thought the major season would play out.
He said:
“Yes, that makes me feel good. Here, I’ve been playing a lot of golf. In the last seven weeks, this was probably my sixth event.
“I’m playing four straight games after taking a week off. I’m confident in my performance.
“Especially following the victory in New Orleans, I feel like things are starting to click more. Evidently performed admirably in Charlotte last week.
“Take a week off to regroup and try to pick up where you left off.”
The US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in June will be McIlroy’s next major tournament appearance.
Despite having an incredible record at the US Open, McIlroy has missed the top ten in his last eight attempts.
At LA Country Club, he came agonizingly close to winning the trophy a second time last year, but Wyndham Clark prevailed by a single stroke.
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