Rory McIlroy breaks silence on US Open implosion at Pinehurst, announces shock break from golf amid Erica Stoll marriage drama

Rory McIlroy has described his US Open collapse as “probably the toughest day” of his career and has withdrawn from this week’s Travelers Championship in Connecticut.

Holding a two-shot lead, McIlroy made three bogeys over the final five holes – missing two putts from a combined distance of seven feet. He left the course minutes after Bryson DeChambeau won and announced Monday that he would not return until next month in Scotland.

In a statement on social media, McIlroy said: “Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in almost 17 years as a professional golfer.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate Bryson. He is a worthy champion and exactly what professional golf needs right now. I think we can all agree on that.

“Reflecting on my week, I will regret some things during the tournament, mainly the 2 missed putts on 16 and 18 on the last day. But, as I always try to do, I will look at the positives from the week that far outweigh the negatives.

Rory McIlroy speaks out for the first time on his dramatic US Open implosion

Mcilroy was a picture of devastation after spoiling the US Open with two shocking putts

“As I said at the start of the tournament, I feel closer than ever to winning my next major championship.

“The only word I would describe my career with is resilient. I have demonstrated my resilience time and time again over the past 17 years and I will do so again.

“I’m going to take a few weeks off to process everything and prepare for my defense of the Genesis Scottish Open and the Open at Royal Troon.”

The Scottish Open takes place on July 11, meaning McIlroy has almost a month until his next competition.

Monday’s statement is McIlroy’s first comment since his catastrophic collapse. He fled the course minutes after DeChambeau’s victory and refused to speak to the media.

And McIlroy’s time away from golf also comes amid a turbulent period in his personal life.

Last week, on the eve of the US Open, he announced he was calling off his divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll.

Just a month ago, before the PGA Championship in May, McIlroy announced that he and Erica were going to separate due to their “irretrievably broken” marriage.

McIlroy announced last week that he was calling off his divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll.

But on the Tuesday before the tournament, McIlroy said in a statement: “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to every rumor is a fool’s game.

“Over the past few weeks, Erica and I realized that our best future was to be a family together. Fortunately, we have resolved our differences and are looking forward to a fresh start.

On Monday, the couple were photographed together for the first time since the divorce was annulled. They were seen spending time together with their daughter, Poppy.

McIlroy was only scheduled to play this week’s tournament before the Scottish Open on July 11.

The 35-year-old will follow that event with The Open at Royal Troon – his last chance of the year to end his 10-year major drought.