Rory McIlroy felt 'stuck in neutral' for most of The Open

McIlroy extended an olive branch to Bryson DeChambeau by saying the American playing at the Irish Open would be "great for the tournament"

Rory McIlroy will spend time on holiday with his family, before returning to competitive golf for next month’s PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup series. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Rory McIlroy dismissed his Open Championship campaign as “just one of those weeks” as his bid for a second Claret Jug ended in disappointment on Sunday.

The world number two ended the final major of 2026 with a one-over-par round of 71 at Royal Birkdale to finish on one under par, eight strokes behind clubhouse leader Cameron Young of the United States.

It was an unwanted bookend to a week which had started with a two-over 72, with the reigning back-to-back Masters champion unable to rediscover the groove that had delivered rounds of 67 and 69 on Friday and Saturday.

“I just sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week,” McIlroy said. “Obviously shot a good one on Friday to get myself in for the weekend and back in it. Yeah, even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.

“Yeah, I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. Yeah, just one of those weeks I couldn't get it going.”

The Irishman said he would now spend time on holiday with his family, before returning to competitive golf for next month’s PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup series, as long he remains in the all-important top 30 in the qualifying rankings. A return to the DP World Tour follows with an Amgen Irish Open appearance at Doonbeg in mid-September before his latest attempt to claim European number one status in the Race To Dubai rankings.

“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously won the first major of the year, fell off a little bit after that, but still any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.

“Yeah, like I haven't really took the time to enjoy that or celebrate that. Poppy's got another four weeks off school until she goes back, sort of middle to end of August, so just going to enjoy the summer holidays with her and Erica. Yeah, that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

“Then obviously I'll get back to playing and still in a decent position, I guess, in both title races. As long as I'm in the top 30 going into the TOUR Championship, and then I'm in a decent spot still in the Race to Dubai. So try to play hard until the end of the season and then try to win one or both of those.” 

McIlroy had already completed his media duties as spectators were lining up in their hundreds for a seat in the 18th hole grandstands, eager for a view of the leaders finishing their championship-defining rounds.

The six-time major winner had arguably made more of an impact on this year’s 154th Open with his comments about rival Bryson DeChambeau’s two-stroke penalty incurred and his subsequent actions after Friday’s second round. McIlroy appeared to be annoyed with the LIV golfer’s lengthy discussions with rule officials as he argued his case against being penalised for improving his lie, describing DeChambeau’s behaviour as “performative” and attention seeking while accusing him of holding “the tournament hostage” and adding “I'm not particularly fond of him”.

McIlroy was more diplomatic on Sunday when asked if he would like to see DeChambeau play the Irish Open on a County Clare course owned by the American’s friend, US President Donald Trump.

“I mean, I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yeah, it would be great for the tournament.”