Rory McIlroy Withdraws from Travelers Championship Following U.S. Open Meltdown

Less than 24 hours after his epic meltdown at the 2024 U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy announced that he has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship this week at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. In a statement on X , the four-time major champion said Monday that he'll take a short break from golf to rest up and mentally prepare for The Open across the Atlantic Ocean next month.

"Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I've had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer," McIlroy wrote. "As I reflect on my week, I'll rue a few things over the course of the tournament, mostly the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the final day. But, as I always try to do, I'll look at the positives of the week that far outweigh the negatives. As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer to winning my next major championship than I ever have.

"I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon."

Following McIlroy's two short missed putts on the 16th and 18th greens during the final round, the 35-year-old Northern Irishman controversially departed Pinehurst No. 2 before shaking hands and congratulating winner Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy has been heavily criticized for his lack of sportsmanship in the moment, however, it's tough to blame him after coming so close to snapping his 10-year major championship drought. Especially in that fashion.

McIlroy is set to tee it up next at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, which begins on Thursday, July 11, at The Renaissance Club in Berwick, Scotland. The final major championship of the 2024 campaign — The Open — kicks off the following week on Thursday, July 18, at Royal Troon.

The 2014 Open Champion looks to bounce back after perhaps his most painful loss since his last major championship one decade ago.

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