A year ago, McIlroy skipped the Travelers and got lost by himself in Manhattan for a few days following his devastating U.S. Open loss at Pinehurst. This time, McIlroy is trying to recover from the intensity of what’s come with his Masters victory in April, which completed the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy has struggled with his game and his motivation since completing the career Grand Slam. He now faces the sternest of challenges at Oakmont.

OAKMONT, Pa. — Twenty-odd years ago, I sat with Ian Woosnam on a golf cart at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Woosie is the practically-minded son of a Welsh farmer and not given to deep reflection, but on one question he was. He told me he could pinpoint exactly — to the day — when his career decline began.

Rory McIlroy admitted on Thursday that finding the motivation to work on his game has proven a bit difficult after getting the Masters' monkey off his back at this year's tournament.

Rory McIlroy is making no apologies for savoring the biggest accomplishment of his career, but insists Oakmont Country Club has his full attention this week.Since claiming his first Masters title in dramatic fashion in April,

Rory McIlroy's frustration boiled over on Friday at the 2025 U.S. Open, where he smashed a tee marker, threw a club and skipped media.

McIlroy's edge has been tough to rediscover, buried somewhere beneath the satisfaction of finally conquering Augusta National to become only the sixth player to win all four majors in his career.