Ernie Els has weighed in on Rory McIlroy’s heartbreaking finish at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, pinpointing critical mistakes that cost McIlroy a chance at his fifth major title. Leading by two strokes with just five holes to play, McIlroy faltered, bogeying three of the last four holes, which allowed Bryson DeChambeau to secure the championship by a single shot.
In an interview with MyGolfSpy, Els didn’t hold back on his analysis, particularly criticizing McIlroy’s decision-making during the final stretch. He pointed out, “He hit the wrong club at 15. Driver was the wrong play on 18. He could have hit a 2-iron off the tee. And then to hit his pitch too hard and be above the hole, that was a terrible leave.” These missteps ultimately sealed McIlroy’s fate and marked a significant setback for the Northern Irish golfer, who hasn’t won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship.
The defeat weighed heavily on McIlroy, with Els noting, “Pinehurst, that is going to sting for a long time. Mentally, we’re going to have to see. When that little bit of doubt creeps in, it’s hard to get it out.” McIlroy has been candid about the challenges he’s faced lately, expressing frustration over a series of near-misses this season, including his recent loss to Billy Horschel in a playoff at the BMW PGA Championship.
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy remarked, “I’m getting used to it unfortunately this year. Hopefully the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.” He did find some solace in the support he received, stating, “The roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing.”
Despite the setbacks, McIlroy is optimistic, viewing his recent experiences as steps in the right direction. He expressed anticipation for the upcoming Open Championship at Portrush, hoping to convert his hard-fought lessons into future success.