Why Rory should keep believing ahead of return from major heartbreak

Rory McIlroy is set to return as the defending champion at the Genesis Scottish Open before chasing his elusive fifth major title at The 152nd Open at Royal Troon. McIlroy’s season has been marked by his victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he celebrated with his friend and teammate, Shane Lowry, by singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

This song’s message will likely resonate with McIlroy as he competes in back-to-back events in Scotland, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. McIlroy’s return to tournament play follows a heartbreaking final round at the US Open. He seemed poised to claim his first major title since 2014 but lost the lead due to three bogeys in his last four holes, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to clinch a one-shot victory. McIlroy missed two crucial putts from inside four feet during the closing stretch at Pinehurst No. 2, extending his major drought.

McIlroy now has 21 top-10 finishes in majors since his 2014 PGA Championship win, more than any other player in that period without adding to his major tally. Reflecting on his close call, McIlroy expressed confidence in his resilience and felt he was “closer than ever” to winning his next major, describing it as the “final piece of the puzzle.”

Over the past decade, McIlroy has achieved numerous accolades, including multiple FedExCup victories, Race to Dubai successes, and three Ryder Cup wins. This year, he has already secured wins at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Zurich Classic, and the Wells Fargo Championship. Despite these victories, he has not converted them into major triumphs, prompting questions about his ability to overcome recent disappointments. Sir Nick Faldo suggested that missed putts at the US Open might “haunt him forever.”

McIlroy’s determination will be tested at the Rolex Series event, where he aims to replicate last year’s dramatic one-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre. This win marked his first professional triumph in Scotland and made him a favorite to win The Open at Hoylake, though he ultimately finished seven strokes behind Brian Harman.

McIlroy has consistently performed well at The Open, with six top-six finishes in his last eight appearances. He remains committed to his goal, stating after his runner-up finish at the 2023 US Open that he would endure “100 Sundays like this” to secure another major. A strong defense in Scotland could help him move past the US Open setback and approach Royal Troon with renewed confidence.

McIlroy remains steadfast in his belief that his fifth major victory is within reach.