PINEHURST — Rory McIlroy arrives at the 2024 U.S. Open carrying the weight of a decade-long major drought, yet remains golf’s most compelling figure. Win or lose, his journey—marked by transcendent talent and very human vulnerability—continues to captivate, writes Iain Carter.
The Agony and the Audacity
McIlroy’s near-miss at the 2024 PGA Championship, where he finished second by a stroke to Xander Schauffele, reignited familiar questions: Why does a player with 26 PGA Tour wins and four majors struggle to close on Sundays? Analysts point to a paradox—his aggressive style fuels comebacks but can unravel under pressure. At Valhalla, a missed 3-foot par putt on the 14th hole proved decisive.
"Rory’s game is built for dominance, not damage control," says sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella. "When he’s chasing, he’s fearless. When protecting a lead, the calculus changes." McIlroy himself acknowledged this after the PGA: "I need to trust my process more when it matters."
The Major Drought: By the Numbers
Since his last major victory at the 2014 PGA Championship, McIlroy has:
- Finished top-10 in 20 majors (including 7 runner-ups)
- Led after 54 holes four times without converting
- Averaged 68.3 in Rounds 1-3 vs. 70.1 in final rounds
Yet his consistency is staggering. Since 2020, he’s the only player with top-10 finishes in all four majors in a single season (2022). "He’s not stuck in a slump—he’s stuck on the cusp," notes Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee.
Pinehurst: A Reset or Repeat?
The U.S. Open’s return to Pinehurst No. 2 offers McIlroy a symbolic reset. In 2014, he won the BMW PGA Championship days after calling off his wedding, channeling personal turmoil into a flawless performance. Now, amid divorce proceedings, parallels emerge. "Adversity sharpens him," says caddie Harry Diamond.
But Pinehurst’s turtleback greens demand precision—a weakness in McIlroy’s recent majors. He ranks 142nd in scrambling over the past two seasons. "If he avoids three-putts, he wins," predicts 2011 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell.
The Competition
Scheffler’s ball-striking (1st in SG: Approach) and Schauffele’s putting (3rd in SG: Putting) pose threats. Yet McIlroy’s driving distance (1st on Tour) could dominate Pinehurst’s sandy waste areas. "This course rewards audacity," says coach Michael Bannon.
The Legacy Question
At 35, McIlroy faces mounting scrutiny. Jack Nicklaus won 6 majors after turning 35; Tiger Woods claimed 5. "Rory’s window isn’t closing, but the clock is ticking," says six-time major winner Nick Faldo.
A victory at Pinehurst would silence critics and cement his resilience. A near-miss? "It’ll just add to the legend of ‘What’s eating Rory?’" quips ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. Either way, the story continues.
As McIlroy told The Guardian last month: "I’m not chasing ghosts. I’m chasing greatness. And greatness isn’t linear." At Pinehurst, golf’s most human champion gets another shot at the sublime.
