Having just returned from a short break from golf, Rory McIlroy’s choice seems to be paying off.
Rory McIlroy’s decision to take a three-week break from golf appears to have been supported by his performance at the Scottish Open. This was the Northern Irishman’s first competition since Bryson DeChambeau, the hero of LIV Golf, stole the US Open from under McIlroy’s nose in the final few holes at Pinehurst.
The 35-year-old chose to take a three-week hiatus from competition in order to heal from his heartbreak over the outcome. Given how well he started his Scottish Open defense, it looks to have been a wise choice.
With rounds of 64, he is only one shot behind the current leaders, Maximilian Kieffer and Li Haotong, who recorded five under par. The four-time Major winner, who took home the trophy last year after making back-to-back birdies on the last two holes, had a solid round of golf.
He stated following the round: “It seemed like a slow start at first. a little bit higher and lower. During the first few holes, I made a few strokes that I must not have seen in practice during the previous ten days.
“A little reminder that golf is more difficult than I sometimes believe it to be! Subsequently, I felt fantastic, hitting some excellent drives and iron opportunities, especially on the front nine. All things considered, a strong start, particularly following a tenacious opening seven holes.”
McIlroy reached the turn at one under par after carding three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine of the Renaissance Club. On the front nine, he helped himself to two more birdies after eagleing the third.
It was a successful day for McIlroy, especially considering it was his first outing since his disappointment with LIV rebel DeChambeau. In announcing his short break from golf, McIlroy stated he needed to “process” the setback from the previous month.
“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer,” McIlroy wrote in a social media post. I want to start by congratulating Bryson. He is a deserving champion and the perfect addition to professional golf at this time. On that, I think we can all agree.
“When I look back on my week, I’ll regret a few things that happened throughout the competition, mostly the two putts that I missed on the last day on holes 16 and 18. I will, however, focus on the positives of the week, which far exceed the issues, as I always strive to do.
“I feel like I’m closer than ever to taking home my next major championship, as I stated at the beginning of the competition. Resilient is the one term I would choose to sum up my career. Over the past 17 years, I have repeatedly demonstrated my resilience, and I will do so once more.
“In order to analyze everything and get myself back in shape for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon, I’m going to take a few weeks off from the game. I’ll see you in Scotland.