Former golf ace has rushed to the defence of Rory McIlroy.
Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie has criticized the Sky Sports commentators for their performance during Rory McIlroy’s dramatic collapse at the US Open.
McIlroy, the four-time major winner, seemed to have a firm hold on the US Open as he approached the back nine, leading his closest competitor Bryson DeChambeau by two shots.
However, things took a turn for the worse as McIlroy’s chances of claiming the title dwindled in a cruel manner, following three bogeys in his last four holes.
DeChambeau was handed a fortunate victory thanks to the misfortune of the Northern Irishman, as McIlroy’s last major win now dates back 10 years.
However, Montgomerie, the legendary golfer, has responded to the Sky Sports team’s remarks regarding McIlroy’s performance.
Montgomerie emphasized in an interview with inews that facing criticism after dropping three shots in the last four holes highlights the challenging nature of winning majors.
He also pointed out that despite the high expectations from Sky commentary about winning multiple majors, his own experience serves as evidence that achieving such a feat is far from easy.
Luck plays a big role in golf. If we were to compare Bryson and Rory in terms of luck, it’s clear that Bryson had more fortune than Rory. Remember, if you don’t finish strong, someone else will snatch the victory away from you.
Montgomerie expressed his empathy for the 35-year-old, acknowledging that the situation reminded him of his own experiences as a professional.
He mentioned: “It’s truly astonishing the multitude of pessimistic thoughts that can flood one’s mind.
“Rory’s mistakes can solely be attributed to negative thoughts. He displayed great skill in avoiding bogeys on the final four holes, successfully getting up and down at the 17th.
The upcoming challenge is bound to be painful. The golfer who experienced a setback at the Masters in 2011 after losing a four-shot lead on the final day was still in the process of climbing up the ranks.
The impact of Winged Foot was lasting for me, and I struggled to move past it. Although I managed to secure another victory in 2007 at the K Club, it was my final win on the European Tour. Winged Foot left a mark on me, and I anticipate that Rory will face similar difficulties in overcoming this recent setback.
McIlroy announced at the beginning of the week that he would be temporarily stepping away from golf to recuperate from what he described as the most challenging day of his career.
Forgoing participation in the Travelers Championship this week, McIlroy is anticipated to make his comeback at the Scottish Open next month, defending his title as the current champion.
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