Rory McIlroy described to end the Grand Slam earlier this year as “climbing his Everest” but how difficult is the challenge to reset after such a career-defining success?
McIlroy just became the sixth player in the gentlemen’s game to end the Grand Slam after completing his 11-year-old wait for a fifth major title of Masters, although he has since admitted “lack of motivation” in events since his play-off victory at Augusta National.
World # 2 failed to fight by the PGA championship and missed the clip on the RBC Canadian Open, where McIlroy admitted he “didn’t really care” if he got the clip when he stemmed in the weekend at the US Open.
He published one last round 67 at the Oakmont Country Club, but still ended his week finish before the final group had left, with the 36-year-old admitted that he had to get into “the real mind frame” for Open and the rest of the season.
Rich Beem reached his career -milestone by holding Tiger Woods to win the PGA championship in 2002, his third and final PGA Tour title, with the former great champion regarding many of the matches that McIlroy has experienced.
Rich Beem ended one in front of Tiger Woods at PGA Championship in 2002 to demand his virgin great title
“The [McIlroy] A kind brought me back to what happened to me, “Beem told Sky Sports. “It’s not like Rory to win the Grand Slam, but I guarantee that I underwent a lot of the same feelings that I think he’s going through right now.
“I chased the money at the end of the season, I didn’t finish the season very well, so I had two or three weeks at the end of the last event before going back to the Mercedes Championships [now The Sentry].
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McIlroy launched his club down the fairway in anger and crushed a tee marker during a frustrating second round at the US Open
“When I was standing on the first tee, I hated everything about golf. I hated wanting to be there hated the fact that I had to be there and felt that I should be there when I actually didn’t want anything to do with it.
“It had nothing to win the biggest tournament in my life, something I never expected to win or even thought of winning. I was so angry with that tee box, not just about the golf game but with the smallest thing. It all consumed.
“Why didn’t I feel like the person I should want after winning one of the four great tournaments? It was the first time in my life where I felt I had no control over my feelings where I had to talk to a sports psychologist.
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Paul McGinley and Beem reflect on McIlroy and avoid media assignments after recent tournaments, including the first two days of the US Open
“I came to the point where I couldn’t manage to be around someone or something, and the last place I wanted to be was on a golf course. I can understand why Rory may be in this position. It doesn’t look or feels like he really wants to be in or around this game right now.”
Scheffler: Hard to describe toll for greater victory
Scottie Scheffler entered the US Open with three wins in his previous four starts, including an impressive victory at the PGA championship, though it previously took the time to adapt to being a bigger champion.
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See the most important moments from Scottie Scheffler’s final round at the PGA championship where he claimed a third major title
Scheffler claimed his virgin big title of Masters in 2022 – his fourth win in six starts on the PGA Tour – but did not win again for another 10 months, with the world # 1 understood some of the thoughts and challenges McIlroy may face.
“There is definitely an aspect of having an achievement that you have been thinking about for a long time and then being able to achieve this goal,” Scheffler explained. “I mean to win a bigger championship in general just takes a lot out of you.
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In a speech after the third round of the US Open at Oakmont, McIlroy explained to the press why he has decided to avoid media assignments after round at recent tournaments
“Physically and mentally, it’s a pretty taxing thing to do. It’s really hard to describe to someone who haven’t really lived through it just because – I mean when I woke up after the PGA championship this year, I literally felt like I was struck by a bus. I felt awful.
“It’s just part of the adrenaline, part of competing for four days on a really difficult golf course, keeping your head in it in 72 holes, which is a long time, and just mentally it is exhausting. Physical is also a grinding.
“If that’s how I felt after the PGA championship, I can only imagine how Rory felt after winning the Career Grand Slam. It’s not easy to show up every week out here and play well.”
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See the highlights of McIlroy’s Rollercoaster Round to win Masters in a play-off against Justin Rose and end a career grand slam!
McIlroy is looking for ‘Right hit of Mind’ – has the best not yet come?
He played his best week’s golf during Sunday’s final round at Oakmont, where a three under 67 matched the lowest of the day, with McIlroy enjoying improvements from tee after struggling with his driver in recent starts.
McIlroy remains in violation of demanding a record fourth FedExcup victory, despite his post-masters dip, with Dame Laura Davies, who supports him to rediscover his motivation and challenge for greater success in the coming years.
“At one point he will think, ‘I want more majors’, whether it’s five, 10 or 12, no matter what this number may be and he’s coming back on it,” Davies told Sky Sports.
McIlroy has failed to fight in the two majors since he had ended his career Grand Slam on Masters
“The start of his year was sensational with victories where the champions were obviously the highlight. He looked invincible for a while and you don’t just lose it. It’s not like he’s lost confidence, he’s just not as focused as he was before.
“We certainly haven’t seen the best of Rory McIlroy and only time will show. As soon as his focus comes back, you get the feeling that he will come back to it.”
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Highlights from the last round of Masters at Augusta National, where McIlroy ended his career Grand Slam after beating Rose
What is next for McIlroy?
McIlroy has committed to playing the Travelers Championship on PGA Tour next week, the signature event he sat out of last year after narrowly missed us Open Victory to Bryson Dechambeau.
He is also listed to play Genesis Scottish Open from 10-13. July, the week before he plays the open at home at Royal Portrush.
Throw FedExcup – Fully Game, Amgen Irish Open, BMW PGA Championship and Ryder Cup – Everyone lives on Sky Sports – And there is still plenty of McIlroy to look forward to in the coming months. Get Sky Sports or stream no contract now.