Can golf star Rory McIlroy overcome adversity and shine at Paris 2024?

Rory McIlroy’s major chase

McIlroy has won 17 PGA tour events since winning the 2014 PGA Championship, but no majors despite several quality opportunities. From 2015-2018, he finished top-five at a major tournament five times, including finishing tied for second at the 2018 Open Championship.

He would not finish in the top three of a major tournament again until 2022, coming second at the Masters. McIlroy struggled early but shot a 64 on the final day of the tournament, tying the lowest score for a final round in Masters history which remains his best finish at Augusta.

A few months later, McIlroy would finish third at the Open Championship in one of several major tournaments that ended in disappointment. Leading Cam Smith by four strokes entering the final round, Smith posted five consecutive birdies on the back nine as he chased down McIlroy en route to a final round 64 and his first major title.

McIlroy would then finish in second once again at the 2023 U.S. Open. Trailing Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler by a single shot entering the final round, he gave a valiant effort but Clark was able to stave off his advances for a one-stroke victory. The defining moment of the tournament for McIlroy was a bogey on the 14th hole during his final round, complicating his comeback.

Fast forward to 2024 U.S. Open on Sunday, 16 June, 2024. McIlroy began the day three shots behind Bryson DeChambeau but fueled by a stretch of four birdies in five holes, he found himself with a two-stroke lead after 13 holes.

Just when it felt like it was finally his moment once again, McIlroy bogeyed three of his last four holes including two short, pivotal par putts. He did not stick around to talk with reporters following the heartbreaking loss and later posted a statement on social media expressing his emotions.

Overall, during his 10-year drought, McIlory finished as the runner-up at four majors and missed the cut seven times in 37 appearances including three times at the U.S. Open. His next opportunity to capture a major title will be at the British Open, 15 July – 21 July in Scotland.