Rory McIlroy declined to speak to the media for the second consecutive day at the PGA Championship after letting the Wanamaker Trophy slip through his hands following his excellent start to the tournament.
The Northern Irishman led after day one thanks to a sensational five-under-par 65 but followed it up with rounds of 71-74-68 to end at two-under-par for what looks like a top-8 finish.
McIlroy declined to speak to the media and instead simply signed his scorecard, collected his belongings from the locker room and headed for the parking lot to board a plane back to Florida.
His final round got off to the dream start with four birdies in a row from the 2nd to 5th holes to reach four-under-par and get within touching distance of the lead but he dropped shots at the next hole and the 17th to finish two-under. His bogey on 17 will have caused particular frustration because it's a drivable par-4 and his tee shot ended up greenside with a good chance at birdie. He overhit his pitch and failed to save his par from long of the green. The four-time Major winner gave himself plenty of chances throughout the day but was unable to convert his birdie putts after that lightning start.
"I gave myself a few more chances on the back nine and couldn't quite capitalize on a couple of them," he said after his one-over-par 71 on Friday, which was the last time he spoke to the media. "But those up-and-downs on 16, 17, and 18 I think were going to be really important. Just keeps me a little closer to the lead and doesn't really feel like I've got such a mountain to climb if I had have maybe dropped one or two over those last three holes. Yeah, there's a long way to go, a lot of golf left."
In the end, it's another Major performance from the Northern Irishman that has shown great promise but left him empty handed. He'll be ruing his third round 74 in particular, which featured both a triple and a double bogey.
His next start will likely be at Muirfield Village in the Memorial Tournament in two weeks' time.
THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT RORY MCILROY
-
Watch Rickie Fowler Make Hole-In-One On Buddies Trip With Justin Thomas To Pine ValleyRickie Fowler made the ace in the company of his close friend on the downhill par-3 third at the ultra-private course in New Jersey
-
Charlie Woods Shoots 81 To Fall Short In Bid To Qualify For 2024 US OpenCharlie Woods carded a nine-over-par round in local qualifying to miss out on one of five spots into final qualifying
-
'An Olympic Medal Would Be Like A Dream' - Lowry And McIlroy Target Success In ParisRory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are ready to get back into the Olympic spirit later this year as they look to win a medal at the Paris 2024 golf tournament
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy BoardThe four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Rounds One And TwoRory McIlroy plays alongside Shane Lowry in the team event, while a host of other big names are in the field too
-
'I Would Welcome It Wholeheartedly' - New DP World Tour Chief 'Delighted' To See Prospective Return Of Rory McIlroy To PGA Tour BoardDP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings is looking forward to seeing European representation on the PGA Tour board once again as McIlroy returns to a role he left only late last year
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
-
Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - ReportThe World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November
-
The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Has A Unique Team Format - Here's How It WorksThe Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a unique format, but how does the PGA Tour’s only team event work?
-
'Determined' Rory McIlroy Enjoying The Challenge Of Finding His Best Form AgainDespite another Masters disappointment, Rory McIlroy says he's enjoying the challenge of trying to find his best form again
