Rory McIlroy clarified that he unintentionally missed a supportive text from Tiger Woods following his U.S. Open setback due to a recent change in his phone number. The golf star also received encouraging messages from Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal after his late collapse at Pinehurst No. 2, setting up Bryson DeChambeau's victory.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, is gearing up for the British Open at Royal Troon, where he last competed in 2016. He recently practiced at the Scottish Open to acclimate to links conditions ahead of the tournament.
Despite missing out on congratulating DeChambeau in person at Pinehurst, McIlroy caught up with him before the British Open. DeChambeau expressed respect for McIlroy's competitive spirit and anticipated a challenging competition between them.
Reflecting on his major drought since 2014, McIlroy remains optimistic about his performance. He discussed his putting strategy with fellow golfer Luke Donald, focusing on stroke tempo and strike precision for the upcoming event.
McIlroy emphasized the importance of learning from near misses in major tournaments, viewing them as stepping stones towards future success. He acknowledged the competitive field at the British Open and expressed confidence in his game's elite level.
McIlroy is scheduled to tee off on Thursday alongside Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton and Max Homa, with defending champion Brian Harman in the group ahead of them. The golf star aims to leverage his recent experiences to secure a strong performance at Royal Troon.
As McIlroy continues his preparations for the British Open, he remains focused on fine-tuning his game and embracing the challenges that lie ahead on the Ayrshire coast.
