Rory McIlroy has opened up about feeling like the sport's 'nearly man' after a series of close calls, including a near-miss at the Olympics and a heart-wrenching US Open experience.
The Northern Irishman was just two shots away from an Olympic medal in Paris, tying for fifth with Spain's Jon Rahm. The disappointment came on the heels of a nail-biting finish at the U.S. Open, where McIlroy's hopes for a fifth major were dashed as he bogeyed three of his final four holes, leaving Bryson DeChambeau to claim victory.
Now ranked third in the world, McIlroy is looking to bounce back from a tumultuous summer by aiming for his fourth FedExCup title at the FedEx St Jude Championship. Having arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, he's set on making a strong comeback during this challenging phase.
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In anticipation of the playoff opener, the celebrated major champion acknowledged his need for improvement, confessing: "I just have to finish off tournaments better. There's been glimpses where I have done it, like Quail Hollow, for example, but obviously US Open, you know, Olympics.
"Yeah, I just, it's just sort of, I feel like this year, maybe the last couple of years, I've just found a way to hit the wrong shot at the wrong time. That might go into preparation and trying to practice a little more under pressure at home. You know, you go through these things in golf, and you go through these little challenges, and you just have to try to figure out a way to get through it.
"And my challenge right now is, is that it's, it's really good, but not quite good enough to to sort of take home the silverware," he went on, recognizing that hes been going through some introspection. "So it's just, you know, something I'm having to work through."
McIlroy offered a seldom glimpse into his thought process post-Olympics at Le Golf National where he seemed visibly downcast. After missing the chance for an inaugural medal at the Games, he expressed: "I feel like I've been golf's 'Nearly Man' for the last three years.
"I obviously want that tide to turn and go from the 'Nearly Man' to back to winning golf tournaments. It's all well and good saying I'm close and close and close. Once I actually step through the threshold and turn these near misses and close calls into wins, that's what I need to do."
"I certainly don't want to sit up here and belittle my achievements at all this year and what I've done, but at the same time I expect a certain standard from myself, he continued, saying: " McIlroy stated, emphasizing his high expectations for himself.
McIlroy further added: "I think when the bulk of the season has come and gone and you've got this opportunity of three weeks to really, I guess, flip the script a little bit or change the narrative and what that season means, I think that's a motivating factor and part of the reason that I've probably played well in the play-offs for the last three years."
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