Rory McIlroy's Brutally Honest Admission on Changing Phone Number After U.S. Open Defeat

It's been a month since Rory McIlroy's heartbreaking solo second-place finish at the 2024 U.S. Open.

Still on the hunt for that elusive fifth major title, McIlroy made headlines earlier this week ahead of the 152nd Open Championship after admitting to unintentionally ghosting a heartfelt text from Tiger Woods after the painful U.S. Open defeat.

McIlroy, who claimed that a phone number change was the reason behind 'blanking' Tiger, opened up about the decision to change his number to media members on Tuesday.

"Honestly, from the time I left Pinehurst to the time I walked through my front door on Sunday night, I probably got about 10 or 15 text messages from media members,” McIlroy said, via GolfDigest . "And I was like, it's probably time to get a new number.

"Create a bit of space.”

The winner of the 2014 Open Championship, McIlroy is among the favorites to take home the Claret Jug this week at Royal Troon Golf Club.

He'll begin his quest for major title No. 5 on Thursday at 5:09 a.m. ET alongside Max Homa and Tyrrell Hatton.

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