Rory McIlroy's Choking Moments: How Often Does It Happen?

Well, let me tell ya, this Rory McIlroy feller, he’s a real heartbreaker when it comes to big golf tournaments. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but that boy has a way of messin’ things up when it matters the most. It’s like every time he gets close to the finish line, he trips right on over it. I reckon folks call it “chokin’.” Ain’t no better way to describe it.

Now, I ain’t one for fancy words or any of them sports psychology mumbo jumbo, but it sure looks like this Rory fella can’t handle the pressure when it’s crunch time. Take the 2024 US Open, for example. He was sittin’ pretty, right at the top, and it seemed like he was gonna pull off a win. But come the final round, well, he done messed up. Missed putts, especially that one from just 2 and a half feet on the 16th hole. That’s the kinda miss that makes ya wanna bury your head in the sand. I heard it was the first time all year he missed a putt that close—can you imagine that?

Folks been talkin’ about it for days, sayin’ Rory choked again, and I guess there’s some truth to it. Now, don’t get me wrong, the boy’s talented. He’s got all them fancy moves and swings, and when he’s on his game, he can really show ’em how it’s done. But boy, when it comes to big tournaments, that pressure seems to get to him. And I ain’t talkin’ ’bout just one time either, oh no. This has happened a bunch of times, especially when he’s at the cusp of somethin’ big.

One of the times folks really noticed was back in 2011, at the Masters. He had the lead, see, and it seemed like it was all his. But in the final round, he lost his head and his game. It was like watchin’ a calf tryin’ to stand up for the first time, all wobbly and confused. Lost that one to Charl Schwartzel, poor fella. That hurt his chances for a while, and folks started wonderin’ if he’d ever shake that bad luck off.

And don’t even get me started on the 2014 Masters! That one was a real doozy. Rory had the game, the skill, the whole package. But come Sunday, he couldn’t hold it together, and ended up blowin’ his chance again. All them missed putts, and I reckon the pressure just got to him again. After that, people started sayin’ maybe he’s just too soft for the big time. Now, I don’t know about all that, but I reckon it’s somethin’ that’s followed him around for years.

But the 2024 US Open—oh man, that one took the cake. He was there, right on the edge, with a real shot at takin’ home the trophy. Then, he let Bryson DeChambeau slip right past him. Finished second again, which was his 16th runner-up finish in Europe, and 22nd overall. That’s a lotta second places for one man. Must be tough, havin’ all them chances but never quite makin’ it.

Now, I ain’t sayin’ Rory’s done for, far from it. He’s a talented boy, and I reckon he’s got some more chances ahead of him. But folks gonna be watchin’ him real close from now on. They wanna see if he can finally close the deal and stop chokin’ when it really counts. Some say it’s in his head, and that’s what makes him choke, others think maybe it’s just bad luck or the pressure of playin’ in front of all them folks. Whatever it is, it’s a shame, ’cause when he’s on, he’s real good.

In the meantime, I guess we just gotta wait and see what happens next. But I tell ya, it ain’t gonna be easy for ol’ Rory. Every time he gets close, it feels like he’s always got that choke hangin’ over his head. It’s a real heavy burden to carry, let me tell ya.

Maybe next time, he’ll finally get it right. Or maybe, he’ll just keep addin’ to the list of “almosts.” Either way, folks will be watchin’—and they won’t forget the ones he let slip through his fingers.