{The golfing} world has reacted strongly to Rory McIlroy’s newest failure in a serious event and significantly his conduct after Bryson DeChambeau’s memorable US Open victory.
McIlroy held a two-shot lead on the again 9 on the Pinehurst No. 2 course in North Carolina earlier than faltering after lacking two shorts putts on his ultimate three holes.
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It opened the door for DeChambeau to assert his second Open victory with a outstanding par from a horrible place on the 72nd gap to win by one stroke.
Northern Irishman McIlroy has been ready 10 lengthy years so as to add to his 4 main titles in his profession and his newest disappointment was an excessive amount of for the 35-year-old.
The game of golf has lengthy been thought-about a “gentlemanly” pursuit and is suffering from stylish acts through the years by each winners and losers.
So McIlroy’s transfer to depart the course instantly after DeChambeau’s successful putt, with out doing any media interviews and reportedly failing to congratulate the victor — a usually customary transfer in golf — has not gone down effectively.
The world No. 2 golfer is extraordinarily outspoken and whereas he’s vastly well-liked, he’s additionally a polarising determine, significantly over his feedback slamming the breakaway LIV Golf tour.
His choice to rapidly pack his courtesy automobile and go away has sparked a fierce response.
“The PGA darling … exhibits zero class. Not essentially the most stunning factor but when roles have been reversed,” was one touch upon X.
“I like Rory, however this can be a poor option to lose,” wrote one other.
“Unhealthy look on Rory, particularly after spending the previous couple of years because the holier than thou golf god,” added one other.
Curiously, DeChambeau himself was concerned in a really related incident on the PGA Championship precisely a month in the past.
DeChambeau warmly embraced winner Xander Schauffele, who had simply overwhelmed the big-hitting American by one stroke to assert the title.
Different golf followers have been eager to make comparisons between McIlroy and another well-known figures from the previous.
One apparent comparability doing the rounds on social media was Australia’s Greg Norman.
A two-time main winner who was world No. 1 for 331 weeks in his profession, Norman can also be effectively generally known as golf’s greatest “choker” for his missed alternatives in main tournaments.
His most well-known defeat was throwing away a six-shot lead going into the ultimate spherical of the 1996 Masters, the event he needed to win greater than another.
A disastrous ultimate spherical allowed Brit Nick Faldo to assert the inexperienced jacket, with Norman nonetheless fronting as much as the press after the large disappointment.
“I used to be about to endure the loser’s press convention,” Norman wrote in a column on Golf.com about that day.
“I went to the pressroom and answered each query as truthfully as I might.”
Whereas Norman confronted the press, the just lately retired Lexi Thompson was criticised for not speaking after she gave up a five-shot lead late within the 2021 Ladies’s US Open.
Each of these moments have been referenced by golf followers on Monday.
“This is likely to be a much bigger bummer than the rest as we speak. Chickens**t transfer. I crushed Lexi for not doing media at Olympic and (McIlroy) high-tailing it out of the parking zone in full view is even worse. Brutal,” wrote well-known golf pundit Todd Schuster on X.
“Greg Norman blew a 6-shot lead within the ultimate spherical of the ‘96 Masters after which sat within the press room and took questions for half-hour. It is a horrible horrible search for the face of golf,” commented an X account referred to as CK.
Whereas McIlroy’s conduct earned the ire of many, there have been loads of course who totally supported his behaviour after the crushing loss.
“Haven’t any downside with this. Deserves to decompress. We noticed it … no want to speak about it till at the least 24 hours,” was one suggestion on X.
“He’s aggressive I don’t blame him in any respect. He is aware of he misplaced it, Bryson didn’t beat him Rory beat himself. And that’s a horrible feeling however he’ll be again,” wrote one other.
“Can’t blame him actually, misplaced out after chasing one other main for therefore lengthy, you’d be devastated,” added a 3rd.
McIlroy’s subsequent alternative to assert that coveted fifth main title will come at this yr’s British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland beginning on July 18.
