Rory McIlroy Deserves Grace From Golf World After Bitter U.S. Open Loss

It’s easy to criticize Rory McIlroy for not congratulating Bryson DeChambeau after his U.S. Open victory at Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday. Or for not speaking to the media after his disappointing finish, opting instead to quickly leave the venue without comment. Or for skipping the Travelers Championship in Connecticut this week and issuing a statement on Twitter instead.

Unlike the Stanley Cup playoffs, professional athletes don’t usually engage in formalized handshakes with their opponents after competitions. In football, for example, handshakes are often limited to friends and are neither formal nor required.

The level of interaction after any sporting event often depends on the event’s intensity and outcome. Last year, when McIlroy lost by a stroke to Wyndham Clark at the Los Angeles Country Club, he spoke to the media, congratulated Clark, and then competed in the Travelers Championship, finishing tied for seventh after a final round of 64. He went on to win the Scottish Open and secure strong finishes in other major tournaments.

This year’s loss appears to be different for McIlroy. It seems to have hit him harder, making it understandable that he didn’t immediately share his thoughts with the media. “It’s different for everyone,” said PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele about McIlroy’s reaction. “He’s under a bit more of a microscope. When things are going well, people are all over him, and when they don’t, people are still all over him.”

McIlroy, a global golf icon, is under constant scrutiny, much like Tiger Woods. Reflecting on the 2011 Masters, McIlroy acknowledged, “This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I’m in this position, I’ll handle it better. But it was a character-building day, and I’ll come out stronger.”

In last year’s U.S. Open, where he narrowly lost, McIlroy was candid about his performance. “The last two major chances I’ve had, like St. Andrews last year and here, I didn’t do much wrong, but I didn’t make a birdie after the first hole today,” he said. “I need to be more efficient with my opportunities.”

Reflecting on his previous near-misses, McIlroy mentioned specific shots he wished he could redo. After this latest loss, one can imagine which shots he’d want back.

In three weeks, McIlroy will likely discuss his recent loss similarly to how he has discussed past disappointments. For now, let’s give him a little space.