Rory McIlroy WDs from Travelers, says U.S. Open loss was the ‘toughest day’ of pro career

Rory McIlroy has pulled out of this week’s Travelers Championship, a $20 million PGA Tour signature event, saying on social media Monday that he will take time away from the game before the Genesis Scottish Open next month.

The move comes a day after McIlroy finished one shot behind winner Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open, a fate that was agonizingly punctuated by missed par attempts inside five feet on the 16th and 18th holes. Shortly after DeChambeau’s successful up-and-down at the 18th to secure the victory,

Here is McIlroy’s full statement on X:

In the aftermath of the loss, McIlroy received criticism for leaving the course without speaking to the media. He did not address his quick exit in the post.

It was McIlroy’s fifth top-five major finish in the past three years. However, he has not won a major championship since the 2014 PGA Championship.

McIlroy, 35, is ranked No. 2 in the world and is third in the FedEx Cup standings. He has won three times globally in 2024, including twice on the PGA Tour (Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Wells Fargo Championship). McIlroy’s likely next appearance will be at the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, where he will be the defending champ. The Scottish begins July 11, and will be followed by the Open Championship at Troon.

The Travelers Championship is in its second year of elevated tournament status. Because it is a limited-field event, there will be no alternates to fill McIlroy’s place.