Rory McIlroy shown up by PGA Tour rival after eye-catching reaction to defeat

Two weeks after Rory McIlroy’s heartbreaking collapse at the US Open, where he squandered a prime opportunity to clinch victory, he found himself overshadowed by Akshay Bhatia, who exemplified grace in defeat at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

McIlroy, who had a two-stroke lead with just five holes to go at the US Open, saw his chances slip away with three costly bogeys. This allowed Bryson DeChambeau to seize the title. The 35-year-old McIlroy missed two crucial par putts within four feet, dashing his hopes of victory after a valiant effort to erase a three-shot deficit from the previous day. Visibly devastated, McIlroy watched DeChambeau’s winning putt from the clubhouse and left without offering congratulations.

McIlroy faced significant criticism for his unsportsmanlike behavior, as he not only failed to acknowledge DeChambeau’s win but also neglected his media obligations. In stark contrast, Bhatia displayed exemplary sportsmanship at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, gracefully handling his own disappointment after narrowly losing to Cam Davis.

Bhatia, who missed a birdie putt on the final hole and subsequently failed his par attempt, allowed Davis to claim his second tournament victory in four years. Unlike McIlroy’s abrupt departure, Bhatia took the time to address the media and reflect on his performance. He explained the challenges he faced on the last hole, noting, “That green’s old school, with a lot of slope, downhill left to right. It’s a tricky putt just to get the speed correct, and I did a good job all day with my speed until that last hole.”

McIlroy, on the other hand, has announced a hiatus from golf to recover from his US Open setback. He later expressed his congratulations to DeChambeau on social media, stating, “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now.”

Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy acknowledged his missed opportunities and emphasized the positives from the tournament. “I’ll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the two missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I’ll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have.”

McIlroy concluded by affirming his resilience and announcing his plans to take a break from the game before returning for his title defenses at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon.