Before the 2024 British Open, McIlroy revealed why he hadn’t responded to his hero’s text message of encouragement after his collapse at Pinehurst No. 2.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Jul 16th, 2024 13:45 EDT0
SAM GREENWOODAFP
Tiger Woods has long been one of Rory McIlroy’s closest allies in the world of golf, but in the run-up to the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon, the Northern Irishman has revealed how he blanked the 15-time major champion following the 2024 US Open.
McIlroy looked all set to end his 10-year major drought at Pinehurst No. 2 last month but missed two putts inside four feet in his last three holes to gift Bryson DeChambeau the title. Following his collapse, which he called his “toughest day” as a professional golfer, the 35-year-old decided to take a longer-than-planned break “to process everything” ahead of last week’s Scottish Open, where he finished tied for fourth, and The Open.
"Probably the toughest day I've had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer" 💬Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will take a few weeks away from golf after his collapse at the US Open 🏌️ pic.twitter.com/zZQhvMKUWS
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 17, 2024
Why did Rory McIlroy change his phone number after the 2024 US Open?
Such was McIlroy’s devastation at throwing away the US Open, he opted to change his phone number in the immediate aftermath of the final round. “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,” the Irishman told the media before the start of The Open. “I was like, it’s probably time to get a new number. Create a bit of space.”
One man he hadn’t informed of the change, however, was Woods.
What did Woods’ text to McIlroy say?
During his own press conference at Troon, the 48-year-old explained he had waited a week before texting McIlroy as he wanted to let the situation “cool down”. It read: “I’m your friend. I know this is a difficult moment. We’ve all been there as champions. We all lose.”
"I blanked Tiger Woods"Rory McIlroy says he changed numbers so never received Tiger Woods' text after US Open pic.twitter.com/MEXkV8ad0I
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) July 16, 2024
A lovely message, it must be said, but one which initially sailed off into thin air. Back to McIlroy: “I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing. I changed my number two days after the US Open, so I didn’t get it until he told me about it today. I was like: ‘oh, thanks very much’.
