Rory McIlroy makes feelings clear on major drought as tournament heartbreak still 'stings'

Rory McIlroy has enjoyed yet another impressive season, but despite closing in on a sixth Race to Dubai title, the Northern Irishman is still rueing missed opportunities

Rory McIlroy has admitted his heartbreaking loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open in June still 'stings', after assessing his 2024 season.

McIlroy's campaign will come to an end in the Middle East this week, with the Northern Irishman closing in on a sixth Race to Dubai crown at the DP World Tour Championship. Clinching the season-long crown would see McIlroy win his third in a row, whilst also drawing level with European stalwart Seve Ballesteros.

For many this would be the sign of a succesful campaign, but for the high standards of McIlroy he has still been left wanting more, especially when it comes to the major championship stage.

The 35-year-old's wait for a fifth major victory will enter an 11th year in 2025, having come as close as he ever has to ending his drought earlier this season. McIlroy was in touching distance of winning the US Open, sitting two shots clear of the field with just four holes left to play.

Three bogeys down the final stretch however cost him dearly, as DeChambeau swooped in to win the event by a single shot. The defeat at Pinehurst No. 2 proved a bitter pill to swallow for McIlroy, and whilst he has played some good golf since, the battle scars remain.

"I think I've been really proud of that over the last few years. But then at the same time, you know, thinking about the ones that got a way," he said in Dubai on Wednesday. "I could be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I am not. So that stings and that's something that I have to come to terms with but at the same time I've got plenty more opportunities in the future...

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"You know, did I achieve every goal I set for myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season." As alluded to by the world No. 3, there has been plenty of success in 2024, having won a record fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, before winning twice on the PGA Tour at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and Wells Fargo Championship in April and May respectively.

His showing at the US Open is not his only near-miss too, having also finished runner-up at his home event, the Irish Open at Royal County Down, and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. This consistency is set to see him become the DP World Tour's top player once more, and this is something he is not taking for granted.

"I really just tried to focus on the positives this year of consistently performing at the highest level," the 35-year-old commented. "You know, still having three wins with an opportunity to get a fourth here this week, to win another Race to Dubai title." McIlroy will begin his title defence alongside second-place Thriston Lawrence in Thursday's opening round.