Rory McIlroy took to Twitter for the first time since the US Open final to reveal he would be taking a few weeks off from the game after experiencing 'the hardest day as a professional golfer'.
McIlroy bogeyed three of his final four holes on the second hole at Pinehurst on Sunday to finish second in a major for the fourth time since winning the 2014 PGA Championship.
McIlroy, who led by two strokes at one point, missed two par putts from inside 4 feet in the final stretch and Bryson DeChambeau ultimately took the title by one stroke.
“Yesterday was a difficult day, probably the hardest day I’ve had in almost 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy told
“First off, I want to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now, and I think we can all agree on that.
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On the dramatic final day of the US Open, McIlroy looks back on the big mistake that led to him reaching his first major tournament in 10 years.
“As I look back on my week, I will have a few regrets throughout the tournament, mainly missing two putts on the 16th and 18th holes on the final day, but as always, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Bigger positives of the week.
“As I said at the beginning of the tournament, I feel closer than ever to winning the next major championship.
“One word to describe my career is resilience. I have shown resilience time and time again over the past 17 years and will continue to do so.
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Paul McGinley believes McIlroy's drought at golf's major tournaments is because he 'doesn't take the lead', but Brandel Chamblee thinks it's because his swing isn't as good as it used to be.
“I'll have a few weeks off from the game to get everything taken care of and build back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”
The former world number one has now reached the top 10 of a major tournament 21 times since winning Valhalla in 2014, more than any other player in that period.
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