Rory McIlroy's conduct at the US Open has raised alarms due to its "troublesome" nature.
With the US Open kicking off at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, the golfing world's focus shifts to the elite players, including four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy.
Post his successful Masters defense, McIlroy's victorious streak appears to have taken a nosedive, as he hasn't won any tournaments since. His disappointing run includes missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open last week.
His controversial driver incident at the PGA Championship and the meteoric rise of Scottie Scheffler have added to the existing worries. Moreover, Irish golfer and former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, expressing concern, pointed out McIlroy's lackluster demeanor during a press conference at Oakmont.
McGinley suggested that McIlroy's energy levels and the spark in his eyes were missing at the meeting, which was "very worrying" to him. Recollecting McIlroy's burgeoning energy and determination during the Masters, McGinley observed, "You could see it and feel the energy...What we're seeing now, isn't it."
Comparing McIlroy's current state to his performance at the Masters, McGinley explained, "He was a man on a mission, a man on a bounce, a man out to prove something. We don't see that at the moment...He's completed a Grand Slam - it's a huge achievement. But, I know from my own experience, when you win tournaments, you check out. You don't feel the same."
McIlroy himself has acknowledged the challenge of maintaining motivation after his Masters triumph. "You dream about the final putt going in at the Masters, but you don't think about what comes next," he disclosed. He further added, "I'm just taking things tournament by tournament at this point."
Despite his recent struggles and setbacks, McIlroy remains hopeful that a fresh start could help him regain his form. "It makes it easier to reset...I sort of need to get my stuff together here and get back to the process and sort of what I'd been doing for that seven months from October last year until April this year," he said.
It seems the Irishman is grappling with mental fatigue and a bout of self-doubt, trying to reignite the fire that propelled him to his career Grand Slam victory at Augusta. As we witness McIlroy navigate these rough patches, we eagerly await to see if the champion within will emerge once again at the US Open.
Sports news is abuzz with concerns about Rory McIlroy's form ahead of the US Open, as his victory streak seems to have hit a snag. Despite clinching the Masters earlier this year, he hasn't won any tournaments since and his lackluster demeanor is causing worry, not just among fans, but also fellow golfers like Paul McGinley, who have compared his current state to his triumphant Masters performance.
