Rory McIlroy Reflects on British Open Struggles After Career-Worst Major Finish

Rory McIlroy finished tied for 65th at the 2026 British Open, his worst major championship result of the season. The Northern Irish golfer struggled throughout the tournament at Royal Troon, failing to make a meaningful impact on the leaderboard.

What went wrong for McIlroy?

McIlroy described his performance as 'stuck in neutral,' unable to find the form that has seen him contend in previous majors this year. His final-round 74 left him well off the pace, with the four-time major winner admitting he never felt comfortable with his game.

'I just couldn't get anything going,' McIlroy said. 'The conditions were tough, but I didn't execute when I needed to. It's frustrating because I know I'm capable of better.'

Why this result stands out

This marks McIlroy's lowest finish in a major since the 2025 Masters, where he also struggled with consistency. The British Open has historically been one of his weaker events, with his best finish being a runner-up in 2014.

The 37-year-old has now gone over two years without a major victory, a drought that will only increase scrutiny as he prepares for the final major of the season, the PGA Championship.

What's next for McIlroy?

McIlroy will now turn his attention to the PGA Championship, where he has won twice before. He'll be looking to regain his form and silence critics who question whether he can add to his major tally.

'It's a quick turnaround,' McIlroy said. 'I need to reset and focus on what I need to do to be competitive again. The PGA is a different test, and I'm looking forward to the challenge.'