Rory McIlroy received messages of sympathy from legends Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal after his loss at the US Open last month.
McIlroy missed two short putts over the final three holes to give Bryson DeChambeau a one-shot victory at Pinehurst.
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And now he has revealed how Jordan reminded him it can happen to anyone.
McIlroy explained: “When I missed the putt on the 18th, MJ was probably the first person to text me.
“He reminded me how many game-winning shots he missed. Really cool.”
Tennis great Rafael Nadal was also another sports friend who reached out to McIlroy and the four-time major champion said his support certainly eased the pain of the loss.
He revealed: “Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan. Two of the most incredible competitors the world of sport has ever seen – they both connected very quickly. They just told me to keep going.”
McIlroy, 35, says his fourth-place finish at the Scottish Open for the first time since Pinehurst showed he had taken their advice – and it has put him in a better position to win this week’s Open at Troon.
He added: “I would say people would be surprised to see how quickly I got over it and moved on. Was it a great opportunity to get a big win? Absolutely. It was painful and it was tough at the moment. Terrible.
“But if the tournament ended after 68 holes, people would call me the best golfer in the world.
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“Yes, I was in a good position to win and I should have won. But this is not the first time I’ve let something slip away.
“In golf we win more than we lose, so this probably won’t be the last tournament. It was tough, but it’s a tournament.”
And he admitted it was far more painful to lose the 2022 Open at St Andrews, when he looked in total control on the last nine.
Cameron Smith was teary-eyed when he picked up the Claret Jug, but he said Pinehurst’s pain didn’t evoke the same reaction.
He commented: “St Andrews has hurt more than this. Oh my God.”
Scottish Open to see £200m boost as Tiger Woods arrives in seaside town“I didn’t cry after that. But St Andrews – the 150th Open and a three-shot lead after ten. Plus, the crowd support I got there was unbelievable.
“But the best thing about this game is that you get a chance to get back into your rhythm after a tough loss. You try to learn from it and do better next time.”
Rory McIlroy’s career achievements
by Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy has spent more than 100 weeks at No. 1 in the world – and has won four majors and 40 tournaments to date.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the Big Four titles by the age of 25.
And after winning the US Open in 2011, the Northern Irishman also won the PGA Championship the following year – and added both Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a look at the illustrious career of the 35-year-old, a five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV Tour:
- 2007 – Topped the World Amateur Rankings at age 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest affiliate member to receive a tour card in the history of the European Tour.
- 2009 – Reached world top 50.
- 2010 – Won his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning start to the Ryder Cup.
Became the youngest player to reach $10 million in earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Loses a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But the following month he won his first major title – the US Open.
Named Player of the Year by Ireland’s main broadcaster RTE.
- 2012 – Won the PGA Championship.
Won the PGA Tour Player of the Year title and also achieved glory in the Ryder Cup.
- 2013 – Signs a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – His best year yet in terms of majors.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
He then won the first of two consecutive PGA Titles, defeating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Awarded RTE Sports Person of the Year for the second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Finishes the season by winning the Tour Championship, which finishes atop the FedEx Cup standings and earns a $10 million bonus pool.
Had to face defeat in the Ryder Cup.
- 2017 – Failed to win throughout the year.
But finished in the top 10 at the Masters, The Open, and 3 WGC events.
And when Nike withdrew the majority of their share from the golf market, they signed an £80 million deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup fun.
- 2020 Overtakes Brooks Koepka to become world No. 1
- 2021 – Lost the Ryder Cup.
- 2022 – Finished runner-up at the Masters and tied for third at the Open.
- 2023 – Helps Europe beat USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – Struggles at start of season, finishes tied 22nd at the Masters.
But he then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic (for his 25th PGA title) and the Wells Fargo Championship.
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