The inquest into Rory McIlroy’s catastrophic capitulation will no doubt include his decision to play musical chairs with his marriage.
Never underestimate the power of a woman, Rory. But let’s not kid ourselves. McIlroy might not have done his chances of winning the US Open any favours by making public the saga of his on-off relationship with wife Erica Stoll.
But this isn’t the reason he let the trophy slip through his fingers at Pinehurst. The bottom line is the Northern Irishman choked. Before his final round, McIlroy had sunk 496 from 496 putts inside three feet. Then he went and missed two tiddlers in the final three holes.
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He failed to hold his nerve when it mattered most, while someone else did. He failed to seize the moment, despite having the tournament at his mercy. And most painfully of all, he proved once again that perhaps he isn’t quite as good as he – and most of the golfing world – once thought he was.
This is what sport does to individuals like him sometimes. It exposes their weaknesses in brutal fashion and lays them bare for the entire world to pick at and digest.
Make no mistake. McIlroy’s soul would have felt destroyed when he left Pinehurst on Sunday night, throwing his belongings into the boot of the car while Bryson DeChambeau lifted the trophy on the 18th green.
(Image: Getty Images)
He’s been here before, of course. Back in 2011 McIlroy had a meltdown at the Masters – and blew a four shot lead to leave Augusta without the Green Jacket. He never recovered, either, because he’s been back 13 times since and not come close to banishing that particular demon.
But back then McIlroy was 21 and baby-faced. He had that innocence of youth that made him feel immune from mental scarring – and bounced back to win the next Major, ironically the US Open. But this crushing loss is different.
It’s much further down the line and will feel so much more significant and damaging. More painful than anything he’s experienced in the game before, including finishing runner up at last year’s US Open too. He used to look invincible, but now personifies the most vulnerable of golfers.
(Image: Getty Images)
He’d waited a decade to win his next Major, and when the golden chance came he couldn’t take it. Whatever happens in the future, this loss will haunt him for the rest of his life.
DeChambeau didn’t win it, McIlroy lost it – and might never get over it.
Because you can analyse swings, shots and putts until the cows come home. But getting over the line when the pressure is at its most fierce, is all down to what goes on between the ears. That’s what separates the great from the good – and McIlroy was found wanting again.
(Image: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
McIlroy has won four Major titles and is guaranteed his place in the game’s Hall of Fame. But he will never earn comparisons to the true legends of golf like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player. He won’t stand in the same pantheon.
Because the fortitude in his head doesn’t match the talent in his hands. And it’s the reason he will go down as one of the most unfulfilled talents sport has ever seen.
Trent’s not the one
Gareth Southgate can live in denial if he wants to. He can continue to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role in the hope it helps England win Euro 2024. And he probably will for Thursday’s group game against Denmark in Frankfurt.
Because dropping the Liverpool star would be like admitting failure – not to mention hang Alexander-Arnold out to dry.
Southgate, assistant boss Steve Holland and Alexander-Arnold had spent 12 months working on his central role alongside Declan Rice ahead of the tournament. But 94 minutes was all it took for the hard graft to be ruined, as Alexander-Arnold disappeared in the face of a second half Serbian onslaught in Gelsenkirchen.
The bottom line is this. Alexander-Arnold is borderline genius with the ball at his feet, but when it comes to discipline and defending he’s a liability. The bloke can’t tackle.
Rice spent most of the 1-0 win doing two jobs, and did so with the sort of class and composure England have become accustomed to.
Southgate needs to abandon his plan for Alexander-Arnold – and pick his best players in their best positions.