Rory McIlroy admits his failure to win the US Open still “stings” after missing a fifth major in June and remains a painful memory. The Northern Irishman looked poised at Pinehurst to win his first major since 2014, but bogeyed three of the final four holes to finish one shot behind Bryson DeChambeau.
“Again, incredibly consistent,” McIlroy said when asked to evaluate his season. “I think I’ve been really proud of it over the last few years. But at the same time, thinking about those who made it through, I could be sitting here with a fifth major title and I’m not.
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“So it stings and it’s something I have to accept, but at the same time I have a lot more opportunities in the future. But I’ve really tried to focus on the positives of this year, which is consistent performances at the highest level, still with three wins and an opportunity for a fourth here this week, to claim another title in the Race to Dubai.
“Have I achieved all the goals I set for myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season. You have two guys [Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele] at the top of the world rankings winning majors. Scottie wins a Masters and a Players [Championship] and the Olympic Games. They certainly stood out from the pack this year. I’m obviously very aware of that, and it only motivates me more to try and emulate what they did this year.
McIlroy may find some consolation if he matches Seve Ballesteros in winning a sixth Race to Dubai title. Thriston Lawrence is the only player who can prevent McIlroy from topping the money list for the third year in a row by winning the DP World Tour Championship, and even that won’t be enough if McIlroy finishes 11th or better in the field of 50 players in Dubai.
Matching Ballesteros’ total and closing in on Colin Montgomerie’s record eight titles would be a fitting reward for a season in which McIlroy won three times and recorded nine other top 10s.
McIlroy’s stated goal is to become the most successful European player of all time, which – in terms of major championship wins alone – would mean surpassing Harry Vardon’s tally of seven. Nick Faldo is next in line with six majors and Ballesteros has won five, although McIlroy acknowledges that the charismatic Spaniard has played an immeasurable role in the growth of European golf.
“I’m a little too young to remember much of Seve’s career and everything he did,” the 35-year-old said. “Seve is almost like a character, not mythical for me, but he was just a little bit ahead of my time.
“But he was my father’s favorite player and [with] the huge impact he’s had on European golf from a Ryder Cup perspective and what he’s done for the European Tour, he means a lot to golf in general. So to be on par with him and have a career that can somewhat compare to his is very cool.