Rory McIlroy Reacts To First Open Missed Cut In Five Years
The four-time Major winner struggled yet again on Friday, as McIlroy stuttered to a four-over-par round of 75 to miss the cut comfortably at Royal Troon
![Rory McIlroy hits a bunker shot](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8B6KPmrsBtJRS6WDJvUjRJ-415-80.png)
Rory McIlroy's wait for another Major continued at The 152nd Open Championship, as he struggled yet again at Royal Troon, carding rounds of 78 and 75 to finish at 11-over-par.
One of the big names to miss the cut, it will now be over a decade since his last Major scalp, the 2014 PGA Championship, with the 11-over-par total five shots back of the six-over-par cutline.
"I think once I made the eight on the fourth hole, that was it. 22 holes into the event and I'm thinking about where I'm going to go on vacation next week. Yeah, that was basically it. I mean, I knew from then I'd sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to shoot, four, or five, under-par".
Realistically, the damage was done on the Thursday for McIlroy, who carded just one birdie, four bogeys and two doubles in a seven-over-par round of 78 that left him well down the leaderboard.
Needing a hot start on Friday, he parred the opening two holes, but a bogey at the third was followed by a scrappy triple bogey that included leaving a shot in the thick rough. Well outside the cutline, another bogey at the fifth was then compounded by another at the sixth, with McIlroy hitting a huge hook from 90-yards in the process.
McIlroy plays his shot at the sixth
"Obviously I got off to the worst start possible today, being six-over through six. But then played the last 12 holes pretty well, bogey-free. If I need to remember something about this week, it'll be the last few holes that I played. You know, when I look back on the two Majors that I didn't play my best at, here and the Masters, the wind got the better of me on Friday at Augusta, and then the wind got the better of me the last two days here.
"I didn't adapt well at all to that left-to-right wind yesterday on the back nine, and then this afternoon going out in that gusty wind on the front, as I said, it got the better of me, and I felt pretty uncomfortable over a few shots".
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Going into the weekend, it's McIlroy's close friend, Shane Lowry, who leads by two strokes at seven-under-par. The two claimed the Zurich Classic Of New Orleans back in April and, with two rounds remaining, he is hoping his good buddy can get over the line and win The Open once again.
"I can't wait to watch this weekend. He's so creative. I think even just watching the coverage the last couple of days, that little sort of squeezy cut that he can hit, especially going out in that front nine, is going to be really helpful to him," stated McIlroy.
"Yeah, look, he relishes these conditions. He loves playing these conditions. The Open Championship is his favourite tournament in the world. He gets more up for this than anything else. I'm looking forward to cheering him on and hopefully him getting his second jug".
So, what's next for McIlroy? Well, his next challenge will come at the Olympic Games at the beginning of August, with the 35-year-old set to tee it up at Le Golf National and secure a medal for Ireland.
"I feel like I say this every Open Championship, but it's not as if we only play four events a year. We play like 25, so there's still a few things there's left to play for. Obviously the Majors have come and gone, but to sort of refocus and try to reset for the Olympics, which will be another cool experience, and try to play well there, and then again, I'm in contention to try to win both titles on either side of the Atlantic, so still some things to play for until the end of the year."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Race To Dubai Prize Money Payout 2024
As well as the Harry Vardon Trophy, the Race to Dubai winner will earn $2m from a $6m pool, with the rest shared among the top 10 in the standings
By Mike Hall Published
-
Which Golfers Have The Most Top-10s In PGA Tour History?
Top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour are something to be savored, but a handful of players have achieved more than most
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: PGA Tour's McIlroy And Scheffler To Face LIV Golf's DeChambeau And Koepka In TV Match
A report from Eamon Lynch at Golfweek states that the four stars are set to appear in a made-for-TV contest to be held in Las Vegas in mid-December
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Seeking Seve Ballesteros Record At Race To Dubai Finale
McIlroy has been confirmed for the DP World Tour Championship, where he'll aim to match Seve Ballesteros' record of six Order of Merit titles
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'I Hit A Bit Of A Wall' - Rory McIlroy Says He Plans To Reduce Schedule In 2025
The 35-year-old has admitted that his packed schedule in 2024 has taken a toll and that he won't be making quite as many starts next year
By Mike Hall Published
-
'It's Gone On Long Enough' - Rory McIlroy Warns Saudis May Move On If PGA Tour Deal Not Done Soon
Rory McIlroy says the Saudi PIF could "look at alternative options" if they don't get a deal done with the PGA Tour soon
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Accidentally Breaks Driver As FedEx Cup Woes Continue
The World No.3’s driver shaft snapped after he leaned on it while picking up his tee at Castle Pines Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch A Frustrated Rory McIlroy Throw His Club In The Water At BMW Championship
A frustrated Rory McIlroy reacted to a bad drive at the BMW Championship by tossing his club into the water
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Mind-Blowing Stock Yardages For The BMW Championship Including 346-Yard Drives
Rory McIlroy has some eye-watering stock yardages for this week's BMW Championship being played at altitude in Colorado
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Blasts Drive Over Range Net At Castle Pines After Hitting 370-Yard Shots In Practice Round
The PGA Tour's second-longest hitter has been sending his drives a considerable distance in Colorado - with the increased altitude helping McIlroy produce incredible numbers
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated