Rory McIlroy wandered streets of New York City alone with headphones in after US Open heartbreak

Rory McIlroy faced a difficult moment in his career when he missed crucial putts and lost his chance to win his first major in a decade at the US Open in June. Visibly frustrated, McIlroy left the course immediately after Bryson DeChambeau secured his win by a single shot. This quick departure led to criticism for his perceived lack of professionalism, as he skipped the presentation ceremony and media interviews.

Seeking solace, McIlroy flew to New York City and spent a few days alone, wandering the streets of Manhattan with his AirPods in, reflecting on the loss. In an interview with The Athletic, he shared how this solitude helped him process the defeat and focus on the future. “I had some good chats with people close to me, and as each day went by, it became easier to focus on the positives and think about the future instead of what had just happened,” he said.

McIlroy acknowledged that his mistakes at Pinehurst would be memorable as some of the toughest moments in his professional career. However, he expressed hope that these experiences would serve as motivation. He quickly shifted his focus to preparing for The Open at Troon, aiming to turn the lessons learned into positive outcomes.

Reflecting on his decision to leave the course early, McIlroy stood by his actions, emphasizing that there was nothing he could have said in the immediate aftermath that would have been constructive. “Absolutely not. No. There’s nothing that I could have said that was, not that, I mean, it would have been good because you guys would have been able to write something about it or have a few quotes from me. No offense; you guys were the least of my worries at that point,” he stated.

McIlroy remains optimistic, viewing this setback as part of a recurring theme in his career where he has turned tough moments into great achievements. He aims to use this experience to drive his performance at upcoming tournaments.