Rory McIlroy’s reset after ‘climbing Everest’ to Grand Slam: How hard is that challenge and what comes next? | Golf News
Rory McILroy described to finish the Grand Chelem earlier this year as “climbing his Everest”, but what is the difficulty of reset after such a career success?
McILroy became just the sixth player of the male match to finish the Grand Chelem after having finished his 11 years of waiting for a fifth major title at the Masters, although he has since admitted “missing” in events since his victory in the dam at Augusta National.
The world n ° 2 did not face the PGA championship and missed the Cup at the RBC Canadian Open, with McILroy admitting that he “did not really care” to know if he had done the cup when he stained the weekend at the US Open.
He posted a last 67 round at the Oakmont Country Club, but has always seen his week before the start of the final group, with the 36 -year -old admitting that he had to enter “the good state of mind” for the open and the rest of the season.
Rich Beem reached his career milestone by holding Tiger Woods to win the 2002 PGA championship, his third and last title of PGA Tour, with the former major champion concerning many struggles that McILroy lived.
“He [McIlroy] A little brought me back to what happened to me, “said Beem Sky Sports. “It is not quite like Rory winning the Grand Slam, but I guarantee that I have lived a lot of the same emotions that I think that it is going through at the moment.
“I chased the money at the end of the season, I did not finish the season very well, then I had two or three weeks at the end of the last event before having to return to the Mercedes championships [now The Sentry].
“When I was standing on this first tee, I hated everything on golf. I hated I wanted to be there, I hated the fact that I had to be there and I felt like I was to be there, when in fact I didn’t want to do anything with it.
“He had nothing to earn the biggest tournament in my life, something I did not expect to gain or even think about winning. I was so angry with this tee box, not just about the golf game, but with the smallest thing. Everything consumed.
“Why did I not feel the person I had to feel after winning one of the four big tournaments? It was the first time in my life when I felt that I did not control my emotions, where I had to go talk to a sport psychologist.
“I came to the point where I could not manage to be with anyone or anything and the last place where I wanted to be was in a golf course. I can understand why Rory could be in this position. It does not seem or really felt that he wants to be in or around this game at the moment.”
Scheffler: Difficult to describe the toll of the great victory
Scottie Scheffler arrived at the US Open with three victories in his last four departures, including an impressive victory in the PGA championship, although he has already taken the time to adapt to being a major champion.
Scheffler won his first major title at the Masters in 2022 – his fourth victory in six departures on the PGA Tour – but did not win again for 10 months, the world n ° 1 comprising some of the thoughts and challenges that McILroy can be confronted.
“There is certainly an aspect to have a success that you have thought for a long time, then to reach this goal,” said Scheffler. “I mean, winning a major championship in general withdraws you a lot.
“Physically and mentally, it is a rather trying thing to do. It is really difficult to describe someone who did not really live simply because – I mean, when I woke up after the PGA championship this year, I literally felt as if I was hit by a bus. I felt terrible.
“It’s just part of the adrenaline, part of the competition for four days on a really difficult golf course, keeping your head in it for 72 holes, which is long, and just mentally, it’s exhausting. Physically, it is also a version.
“If that’s what I felt after the PGA championship, I can only imagine what Rory felt after winning the big slam in a career. It’s not easy to present himself every week here and play well.”
McILroy is looking for “good state of mind” – is the best to come?
He played his best golf course of the week in the final of Sunday in Oakmont, where a 67 under three years old was lowest of the day, McILroy appreciating the improvements of the TEE after having fought with his driver during recent departures.
McILroy remains in the running to claim a fourth record victory of Fedexcup, despite his post-Massers decrease, with Dame Laura Davies supporting him to rediscover her motivation and his challenge for a more major success in the years to come.
“At one point, he will think:” I want more majors “, whether five, 10 or 12, whatever this number, and it will come back to it”, Davies said to Sky Sports.
“The beginning of his year was sensational with the victories, the masters being obviously the highest point. He looked invincible for a while and you do not lose that. It is not as if he had lost confidence, he is simply not as concentrated as before.
“We have certainly not seen the best of Rory McILroy and only time will tell us. As soon as his concentration comes back, you have the impression that he will be back.”
What is the next step for McILroy?
McILroy is committed to playing at the Travelers championship on the PGA Tour next week, the signature event from which he moved away from last year after having missed the victory in Bryson Dechambeau.
It is also listed to play the open of Genesi Scottish open from July 10 to 13, the week before playing open on the floor at home at the Royal Portrush.
Throw the Fedexcup playoffs, the Amgen Irish Open, the BMW PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup – All live Sky Sports – And there is still a lot to hope for McILroy in the coming months. Get Sky Sports or disseminate without a contract now.