Rory McIlroy reveals he 'deleted' Tiger Woods text message before Open

Rory McIlroy has revealed he accidentally “deleted” a text message from Tiger Woods as the pair prepared for The Open later this week.

McIlroy missed out on glory at Pinehurst last month, with Bryson DeChambeau winning the major instead after a fascinating battle in the United States.

It means the Northern Irishman’s agonising wait for another major tournament continues, with McIlroy yet to win a tournament of such prestige since the PGA Championship in 2014.

Woods, speaking ahead of this week’s Open, revealed he texted McIlroy to console the 35-year-old after DeChambeau’s triumph.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at the Open

Rory McIlroy has revealed he accidentally ‘deleted’ a text message from Tiger Woods as the pair prepared for The Open later this week.

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“As you know, I’m your friend,” Woods said of his text.

“I know it’s a tough time. We’ve all been there as champions. We’ve all lost. Unfortunately, it just happened. The raw emotion is still there and it certainly will be for a while.

“The sooner he can get back in the saddle and get back into the race like he did last week, the better for him.”

McIlroy has since revealed, however, that he did not receive the message because he had changed his phone number, so he was unable to respond.

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“To be completely honest, I changed my number two days after the US Open, so I didn’t have it until he told me about it,” said the Briton.

“I thought, ‘Oh, thank you very much.’ So I cleared Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing.

“But I met him earlier. It’s always nice when your hero and the guy you had on your bedroom wall reach out and offer words of encouragement.”

McIlroy, according to the Daily Mail, exchanged text messages with sporting icons Rafael Nadal and Michael Jordan before changing his phone number.

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It’s all part of the 35-year-old’s plan to start over, with the golf star feeling he needs a change to finally end his wait for the major tournament he so desperately wants.

McIlroy, however, believes the signs are positive. He recently had a good performance at the Scottish Open, finishing fourth after a three-week break. He was also in good spirits during a practice round with Darren Clarke on Tuesday.

“I know I’m in a good situation,” he said.

“If I think about the period from 2015 to 2020, that five-year period where I rarely had a realistic chance of winning a major championship. So I much prefer those tough situations. That means I’m getting closer.”

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Rory McIlroy missed out on US Open glory to Bryson DeChambeau last month

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McIlroy chose to take some time off after the US Open. He flew from his home in Florida to Manhattan and spent time in New York walking around with his headphones in, taking a break from golf. It’s something he believes will serve him well.

“It was liberating,” he said.

“The main thing is to go out, not be on a screen, look around, try to find joy in the little things in life.

“Going there was a good rejuvenating time, just in terms of seeing everyone living their lives and the hustle and bustle.

Rory McIlroy feeling good as he prepares to play at The Open this week

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“Honestly, nobody cared if I missed the putt at Pinehurst. It’s a great perspective to have.”

“You get lost in a big city like this and you become part of the herd going about its business. For me, it’s a nice feeling.”

McIlroy, understandably, was despondent in his anticipation of glory. He has now revealed, however, that gloom gave way to hunger within days of DeChambeau pipping him to the prize.

“I would say three or four days later I went from being disappointed and discouraged to trying to focus on the positives, to wanting to learn from the negatives, to a point where I became excited and motivated to do it again,” he added.

And it remains to be seen whether McIlroy can win The Open this week, as he seeks his first major in a decade.