Masters victor Rory McIlroy openly discusses ongoing difficulties since latest tournament triumph.
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In a candid post-game interview, Rory McIlroy, the golfing sensation, confessed that his challenging U.S. Open stint at Oakmont had left him yearning for a break at home near London.
"Man, it's great to return home," he said. "I'm a dad and a hubby when I'm away, but here, I'm truly me. It's always rewarding to escape the chaos and experience a touch of normalcy."
With the Travelers Championship ahead this week in Hartford, Connecticut, McIlroy prepares for yet another battle on the greens.
Last year, McIlroy decided to skip the Travelers, instead opting for a soul-searching trip to Manhattan following his crushing U.S. Open defeat at Pinehurst. This time around, the number one priority is to regain momentum after his post-Masters slump.
His golf performances since his historic Masters win in April 2025, which secured the career Grand Slam, have been lackluster at best. A disappointing T47 finish at the PGA Championship and a missed cut at the Canadian Open last week preceded his difficult showing at Oakmont.
"We've got some exciting times ahead. We've a new pad in London, the Scottish Open's next, and let's not forget The Open at Portrush! I'm determined to get myself mentally prepared for the challenges that lie ahead," said McIlroy.
The superstar golfer has been candid about the mental challenges he's faced in rekindling his tournament passion since scaling the peak of golf's highest achievement at Augusta. He's hoping The Open, mere minutes from his hometown, will ignite the spark within.
"If I can't get motivated for an Open Championship at home, then what can possibly motivate me?" he queried. "After conquering my personal Everest in April, I've got to descend, reset, and find my next mountain to climb. An Open at Portrush is certainly a worthy aspiration."
McIlroy is acutely aware that he needs to get back into a focused mindset. " frankly, I haven't been there the past few weeks," he admitted. "But a break, some relaxation, and a refreshed perspective should do the trick."
Wrap up with a glimmer of optimism in his eyes, McIlroy was encouraged by his Sunday performance at Oakmont, shooting him to the low round of the day. "I feel physically equipped to play," he said. "I just need the mental consistency to bring out the best in me."
Conceding to being deeply moved during the 2019 Open at Portrush, where he missed the cut, McIlroy admitted he underestimated the emotional toll the home crowd support would take on him.
"I didn't realize how emotional it would be at Portrush," he revealed. "When the crowd roared as I hit a shot into 12 or 13 on Friday night in a futile attempt to make the cut, I felt like I was on the verge of tears. Support like that... it's something extraordinary. I need to prepare myself emotionally for these feelings when I tee off at Portrush."
During his candid interview, Rory McIlroy expressed his desire to engage in activities beyond golf, stating, "I'm always looking forward to a good sports match when I'm back home." After the rigors of golf, McIlroy may also find solace in a leisurely game of tennis or golf, as he reminisced, "Remembering my soul-searching trip to Manhattan last year, I might even take a break from sports and travel to explore the city again."
