Rory McIlroy blew a chance to win the U.S. Open on Sunday, and his good friend Shane Lowry tried to give fans some perspective after the painful finish.
McIlroy played well all week at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, N.C., but he finished runner-up to Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday. McIlroy likely would have won the tournament (and his fifth major) if not for two brutal missed short putts in the final three holes.
On Monday, Lowry took to social media with a message about his fellow countryman. Lowry reminded fans how difficult golf can be and asked them to “be kind” to McIlroy.
“From the outside looking in … this game is easy,” Lowry wrote. “But in reality it’s the worst game of all. We are very fortunate to get what we do from this game but over the last 24 hours it’s hit me. We do it for not only ourselves but for our family, friends and fans. What Rory has gone through is as tough as it gets in our game but I would like to encourage people if anything please be kind.”
From the outside looking in… this game is easy. But in reality it’s the worst game of all. We are very fortunate to get what we do from this game but over the last 24 hours it’s hit me. We do it for not only ourselves but for our family, friends and fans. What Rory has gone… pic.twitter.com/2z7hl4CqmF
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) June 17, 2024
Lowry knows first-hand what it is like to blow a chance to win the U.S. Open. He had a 4-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and shot a 6-over on Sunday to finish three shots back of winner Dustin Johnson.
McIlroy faced some criticism for the way he quickly left the course after losing on Sunday. He then issued a statement on Monday in which he said he will take some time off from golf to regroup.
DeChambeau also had some classy remarks about McIlroy after beating him at Pinehurst.
