122nd U.S. Open: Rory McIlroy Falls Short Again; Is ‘Remaining Patient’

The wait goes on for Rory McIlroy after coming up short at this year’s U.S. Open.

It was another week that began with so much promise for Rory McIlroy, he was fresh off an electric win in Canada and was bringing all of the momentum in the world into this year’s 122nd U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

McIlroy even seemed to carry that extra bit of ‘edge’ with him in recent weeks after all of the LIV drama that has dominated the golfing world of late.

The Northern Irishman was even quick to fire a not-so-subtle shot at LIV Golf head Greg Norman after earning his 21st PGA win last week saying:

"“This is a day that I’ll remember for a long, long time. 21st PGA Tour win, one more than someone else. That gave me a little bit of extra incentive today and I’m happy to get it done.”"

It all was lining up perfectly for McIlroy to break a nearly eight-year-long Major drought this week at The Country Club. Rory came into the week as the favorite to win his second U.S. Open title, adding to the one he won back in 2011 at Congressional.

Just like at Sothern Hills though, where McIlroy was reportedly so irritated with his performance that he left the grounds early, it was another week for the four-time Major winner that he came up just short.

Rory managed to stay in contention throughout all four days at Brookline due in large part thanks to a hot putter, especially on Saturday when he alongside the majority of the field struggled in difficult conditions.

Time and time again McIlroy came up with the clutch par-saving putt during his third round to keep himself inside of the top ten heading into Sunday’s final round.

The putter, which had let him down during periods of last month’s PGA Championship, was alive and well this week.

Rory McIlroy managed to gain +2.46 strokes on the tiny greens at The Country Club. In the end, though, Sunday’s closing round 69 wasn’t enough to win an enthralling U.S. Open that was eventually won by England’s Matt Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick recorded rounds of par or better across all four days to claim his first Major title. It was not too dissimilar from Rory’s tournament with the key difference being both players’ Saturday rounds.

Matt had shot two-under-par in difficult conditions while Rory’s 73 on Saturday proved to be the difference when all was said and done.

Rory McIlroy’s 73 on Saturday proved costly at this year’s U.S. Open, but he ‘remains patient’.

It was another top 10 finish in a Major this week for Rory McIlroy after he tallied -2 for the tournament which was good enough for a share of 5th in the end.

Rory can add this week’s 5th place finish to finishes of 8th, which he picked up at the PGA Championship, and his 2nd place result at the Masters in April.

The three top 10s in the first three Majors this year are just another record to add to McIlroy’s stellar career resume.

With so many close calls it would be easy to get frustrated, but McIlroy is adamant that remaining patient going forward is key, as he put it after the conclusion of his U.S. Open when saying:

"“I have to stay patient at this point because if I just keep putting myself in position, sooner or later it’s going to be my day and I’m going to get one.”"

Every fan will be hoping that this breakthrough comes soon, and even though it wasn’t this week at the U.S. Open, there are positive signs that another Major victory is surely just around the corner for Rory McIlroy.

In the meantime, the eight-year wait will continue on for a least another month, the next opportunity? That will come at the 150th Open next month for McIlroy.