So they are just getting into sort of the last few holes of their careers and that’s what happens. “Phil is 43 or something and Woods is nearly 40. “They are just getting older,” said McIlroy. Ironically, following his fourth major at the PGA, and ahead of the 2014 FedEx Cup playoffs, McIlroy was asked about his position in the game versus Phil Mickelson, then 44, and Tiger Woods, then 38 (only four years older than he is now). With four majors at 25, including the two most recent, no one batted an eye when McIlroy lowballed 12 as his career majors target.Įight years later, he’d be laughed off the stage for thinking he can win 12 career majors. He added, with a tinge of smugness, “Bummer!” “At least at the end of my career there’s not going to be a disappointment - ‘Oh, I wanted to get to 15 but I only got 12.” “I know how many majors the greats of the game have won, but I never wanted to compare myself,” said McIlroy, during a press conference at Royal Liverpool. (Photo by Richard Sellers for PA Images via Getty Images)Īfter winning his third major at the British Open in 2014, McIlroy was asked about catching Nicklaus‘ 18. Rory McIlroy dejected after not reaching the green on his drive on the 18th green during day four of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews on July 17, 2022. In fact, his two best opportunities to bust the drought came in two of his last five tries: The 150th Championship and the 2023 U.S. To McIlroy’s credit, his performances in majors over the past two years is impressive: 2nd, 8th, T5, 3rd, MC, T7, 2nd, T6. In his first 24 major appearances, McIlroy won four in a 15-start span, but has come up empty in each of his last 34. So there’s three majors left this season, and I’d love to add to my tally.” “I think that’s really what determines a good or a great season for me these days. “I would be disappointed if I wasn’t to win one of the next three majors,” said McIlroy, ahead of the BMW PGA Championship in May 2015. Back then, McIlroy claimed “a good or great season” required a major victory. Though, that’s not how he sounded less than a year after winning his fourth major at just 25 in 2015. “I think about trying to go and win a fourth FedExCup here in a couple weeks’ time, go try and win a fifth Race to Dubai, go and win a fifth Ryder Cup. (Photo by Tom Shaw for R&A via Getty Images) Rory McIlroy during a practice round ahead of the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool GC in Hoylake, England on July 17, 2023. When a reporter noted that McIlroy will be going into his “tenth year now without a major,” the controversial golfer claimed he doesn’t dwell on his lack of major success and is focused on Memphis and the opening leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. “Again, I’m optimistic about the future, and just got to keep plugging away.” “My game is in a - you think about my performances in the majors between like 20, it’s a lot better than that. I can’t sit here and be too frustrated,” said McIlroy, who was once considered a threat to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major wins. “Every time I tee it up or most times I tee it up, I’m right there. The Northern Irishman, now 34, finished T5 at The 151st Open Championship and failed to win that elusive fifth major. Rory McIlroy will enter the 2024 golf season the same way he ended the 2014 golf season: holding four major titles. (Photo by Glyn KIRK for AFP via Getty Images) Rory McIlroy (C) jokes with Golf Channel's smear merchant Eamon Lynch on the 17th fairway during a practice round ahead of the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool GC in Hoylake, England on July 18, 2023.
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