MAJOR BLOW
‘It will be a bitter pill’ – Rory McIlroy backed to ‘bounce back’ from US Open heartbreak at Royal Troon amid Major wait
A leading mental coach has tipped Rory to come back firing in the final major of the summer
RORY McIlroy has been backed to bounce back from his US Open heartbreak.
The golf superstar’s Major misery continued as he was left cursing two missed short putts inside four feet that allowed Bryson DeChambeau to snatch the US Open title on Sunday night.
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McIlroy had overturned the three shot lead DeChambeau took into the final round at Pinehurst with a string of brilliant birdies - with the Co Down ace a shot ahead with three holes to play.
But a first major title in 10 years agonisingly slipped away for Rory with costly misses from two-feet six inches and three-feet nine inches on the 16th and 18th.
Watching from the scoring room, McIlroy, 35, witnessed DeChambeau produce a remarkable 55-yard pitch from the sand to four feet and convert the putt on the 18th to complete a one-shot win.
Devastated Rory quickly sped off from Pinehurst in North Carolina before the trophy presentation and without speaking to the media after throwing away a glorious chance to end a decade-long hunt for a fifth major.
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Six-time major winner Nick Faldo has warned McIlroy’s late collapse could “haunt” the Holywood hotshot for a long time.
Faldo said: “That’s going to haunt Rory for the rest of his life, those two misses.”
Irish Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley believes lack of confidence is behind McIlroy’s major heartaches.
McGinley declared: “Mentally, he got on the precipice of winning this tournament and instead of driving over the line, he hesitated.”
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But a leading mental coach has tipped Rory to come back firing in the final major of the summer, the Open Championship at Royal Troon next month.
Performance coach Jon Adler, of ‘Golf is a Mind Game’, said: “Obviously he was feeling distraught. It’s going to take a little bit of time to get over because it stings, and when you’ve had an experience of fear – being frightened of missing because it’s such a short putt, you’re supposed to be making it – it’s not nice, especially when it gets the better of you.
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau reduce fans to tears with heartwarming gesture in final round of US Open
“But every golfer has had experiences like that and sometimes you can get a lot of strength from that.
“The fear is almost like a bully. Once you’ve been punched on the nose the next time you’re not quite as scared. You’re like, ‘Well, I’ve had the worst. I’ve dealt with the worst that can happen to me’.
“I heard Faldo saying he’s going to be wrecked forever from this but I’m not so sure. I certainly hope not.
“I remember when Rory crashed and burned at the Masters years ago, when he was young. He won the next major after that.
“From adversity often comes a new strength. It’s from the setbacks that often the great players emerge and I think Rory’s shown he’s got that in his locker, and he’s obviously got the talent and skill.
“It’s going to be a bitter pill for him to swallow for a while but he’s shown he can bounce back before. I’d have a little bet on him for the Open.”
McIlroy’s final chance to add a fifth major to his tally this year will come at Troon from July 18-21.
Adler said: “It’s all about being able to let go when you really need to and trust yourself and clear your mind, and see it as an opportunity as opposed to something you might regret.
“That little putt was an opportunity for Rory and unfortunately it got away.
“But I’m sure, if you take it in context, he’ll bounce back. I really do think he will.”
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has also leapt to the defence of McIlroy following his hasty US Open exit.
Reposting a video of McIlroy’s vehicle driving away from Pinehurst, she said: “Hot take but I don’t care when athletes do this.
“He gave us everything he had on the course and gave us such an entertaining day.
“I feel for Rory right now and can’t even imagine how he’s feeling.
“Cut him a break.”