In eight of his previous ten major championship appearances, including two as a solo runner-up, Rory McIlroy has placed in the top ten. Amazingly impressive work. And utterly ineffective. When he lays his head down at night, he probably gives one final somber consideration to the reality that he hasn’t won a major in ten years. This is a man who, at the age of 34, openly discusses being on the back nine of his career. He is perhaps the best player in golf over the past ten years, as well as the most disappointing in terms of consistent play.
On Sunday at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, McIlroy stood behind the 16th green as the sum of his parts. The gifted player went 4-1 in the 2023 Ryder Cup and scored more points than any other player. The emotions roared in the air after defeating Sam Burns head-to-head, his cheeks still crimson from clamping his eyes shut. The unvarnished account of what happened on Saturday night, when all hell broke free and battle lines were established, is provided by the candid. Whether or not it is justified, the sanctimonious has a priggish side that many find off-putting.
A European victory was edging closer as the afternoon grew late. Around this time two years ago, with the Americans leading 19-9 and the Europeans mired in muck, McIlroy sobbed on live television following his Sunday singles match. On a week in which he went 1-3-0, he commented at the time that he wished he had done more for his club. He claimed that losing in team play is more taxing than losing in a typical competition. At Whistling Straits, he admitted, “I have never really cried or become emotional over what I’ve done as an individual. The statement “I couldn’t give a s—.”
As events came full circle in Rome, McIlroy declared on Sunday that the golf tournament was the best. It denotes the ultimate universe.
