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18th June 2024
10:21am BST
Rory McIlroy has announced he is taking a break from golf after what he described as ‘probably the toughest’ day of his career in the US Open.
The 35-year-old has withdrawn from this week’s Travelers Championship in Connecticut after throwing away a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau at the weekend.
McIlroy carded three bogeys across the final five holes, missing two putts on the 16th and 18th which held a combined distance of just seven feet.
McIlroy took to social media yesterday to address the defeat and announce his shock decision to take a break from golf.
He said: “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer.”
He congratulated DeChambeau and praised him for being ‘exactly what professional golf needs right now’.
He described his career as resilient saying: “I've shown my resilience over and over again in the last 17 years and I will again.
"I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defence of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon.”
After his shock collapse, McIlroy fled the course and refused to speak to media as DeChambeau sealed his victory.
With The Scottish Open not starting until July 11, McIlroy will have nearly a month to prepare for his next competition.
It has been a turbulent time for McIlroy away from the course too. A month before the US Open, he and his wife of seven years announced they were getting a divorce after seven years of marriage.
However, on the eve of the US Open, he announced he was calling off the divorce.
He said: “Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
After The Scottish Open, he will then play The Open at Royal Troon where he will look to end his 10-year Major drought.
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