Rory McIlroy has spoken to the media following the final round of the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
He played his way into contention during the first two and a half rounds, but it all went wrong on Saturday evening.
McIlroy made five bogeys in nine holes and fell 10 strokes behind 54-hole leader Wyndham Clark.
With no chance of winning the tournament, the Northern Irishman struggled for motivation in the final round on Sunday.
Having finished outside the top 30, McIlroy reflected on his week and the playing conditions at Shinnecock Hills.
What Rory McIlroy said about Shinnecock Hills after the US Open
The US Open is meant to be the toughest event in professional golf, and it lived up to its billing at Shinnecock Hills.
Only a handful of players did not finish over par, with many carding their highest scores of the 2026 season.
McIlroy looked as though he was relishing the challenge before all his hard work was undone on Saturday evening.
The world number two has now admitted that the golf course got the better of him, as the “wheels came off” at the wrong time.
“Yeah, I think it won the battle over me at this point. I think, looking back on the entire week, I’ll obviously rue the back nine yesterday,” McIlroy said.
“I got myself to 2-under par for the tournament after nine yesterday, and then the wheels came off, and I played a really bad back nine.
“I sort of shot myself out of the tournament then. Obviously, I was really disappointed coming away from the course last night.
“You try to come out here today positive, and you try to muster up the energy to put a good one in there, but [after] a couple of bogeys on the front nine, I was just trying to race my way to the 18th green.”
Seemingly not interested in playing for prize money or FedExCup points, McIlroy could not wait for the tournament to be over.
He was so disappointed with his back nine on Saturday, which ended his chances of winning, that he just wanted to go home.
McIlroy will now be focused on the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next month, as he looks to win his second Claret Jug.
He has not won the event since 2014, so he will be as motivated as ever to produce his best golf in northwest England.
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