GOLF
Why did Rory McIlroy blank Tiger Woods after the 2024 US Open?
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.
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.
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.”
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’.
“It means a lot that he reached out. Actually it means a lot that he waited a few days to reach out, which if he hadn’t have waited that long, I probably would have got it.”
The pair first met when McIlroy was 15 and one of golf’s hottest young talents for the future. At that time, Woods was at his peak, having won eight of his 15 majors. They have built an incredibly close friendship since then, as proven by the American’s (belated) words of encouragement.