“The game is testing me at the moment,” Rory McIlroy said. In truth, after the Northern Irishman’s finales to the last two weekends, the patience of Job would be at breaking point.
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IthasbeenayearofnearmissesforRoryMcIlroywhowillplayonhomesoilagainatthe2025OpenG–Reuters/PaulChilds“Thegameistestingmeatthemoment,”RoryMcIlroysaid.Intruth,aftertheNorthernIrishman’sfinalestothelasttwoweekends,thepatienceofJobwouldbeatbreakingpoint.
AnotherSunday,anotheragonisinglyclosecallforMcIlroy.YetonexitingtheWestCoursetheworldNo3 wasdeterminedtokeephis‘headheldhigh’afterbeingdeniedinagrippingplay-offbyBillyHorschel.
Nodoubt,theNorthernIrishman’sstoicismwascommendable,butawayfromtheglarehemustbewonderingwhathehastodotowinafourthtitleoftheyearandthefirstsinceMay.
ThepreviousweekhewatchedindespairasaneagleputtonthelastatRoyalCountyDownslippedbyandcosthimachanceofwinningasecondIrishOpentitle inashootoutagainstRasmusHojgaard.
Sevendayslater,a30-footerforaneaglefromHorscheldroppedinandmeantMcIlroywouldnotwi