Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie is one of the few people who knows exactly how Rory McIlroy feels right now.
McIlroy blew the US Open on Sunday night, missing two putts within three feet six inches over the final three holes, and handing Bryson DeChambeau a one-shot victory.
As Montgomerie puts it: “I felt – and I think the British golfing nation – felt very sorry for him. He must think it was his own fault. Other than the other fellow winning it, Rory lost it.”
It prolongs a major drought which stretches back ten years and raises the same old questions about why the most talented golfer of his generation cannot perform when it matters most.
For Montgomerie, watching the Northern Irishman’s heartache at Pinehurst cut a little too close to the bone.
Not only because of his relationship with McIlroy, but his own personal experience in 2006, when he made a double-bogey on the 72nd hole to throw away the US Open at Winged Foot.
For all his success at the Ryder Cup and on the European Tour, it was one of five second-place finishes over his major championship career, which ended without a win.
Montgomerie told marvelbet369.com: “I fear for him after that. He gave away a major and that’s going to hurt. It hurts us all. Here’s me talking to you about 2006 at Winged Foot and it hurts me to talk about it.
“That wasn’t yesterday. That was 18 years ago. Rory’s was about 18 minutes ago. It’s going to hurt more because he really wants that fifth major.
“If he did get five, you could see six coming very quickly. Can you see five coming now? It will be difficult.”
‘Monty’ added: “I felt for him, I really did. I’ve been in that position a few times. Giving majors away. I felt for him as a friend, a colleague, a peer and a British golfer. I really wanted him to win.
“Nothing against Bryson or anything like that, just to get that monkey off his back. 40 majors is a long time for someone of his talent not to have won one.
“Now, as [Sir Nick] Faldo said on commentary, this could haunt him for the rest of his career – and that’s a big statement.
“Let’s hope he can get back on that horse at the Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. But it’s going to be very difficult for him.
“Let’s hope he can put this behind him as soon as possible for the sake of his own mental health. He’s been through an awful lot the last year. He’s been the spokesman for the PGA Tour, he’s been the spokesman for anti-LIV Golf stuff. He’s had his own personal issues off the course.
“And now he’s got issues on the course. So I feel for him.”
McIlroy had made all 496 consecutive putts faced from inside three feet this season, before he arrived on the 16th green with a one-shot lead on Sunday night.
But it was not just the two tiddlers. It was three bogeys in his final four holes. It was poor decisions off the tee on 15 and 18. It was a golfer succumbing to the pressure.
McIlroy left the property immediately after DeChambeau’s winning putt, choosing not to address the media.
Montgomerie, again, knows that feeling all too well – and had no problem with McIlroy’s swift exit.
He added: “It’s difficult to be asked about, to be honest. We just hope he’s strong enough to get back on the horse.
“I think he left in a very dignified way. The cameras were on him in the scorers’ tent and that’s the last place you want them to be.
“He was very dignified there when Bryson took his bunker shot and made the putt. He just got into his car and left.
“Yes, the press would’ve loved to have a chat, but it was all going to be negative. He’s given his time superbly well over the years.
“I think, OK, we’ll give him that one. He didn’t slam any doors or rev off. It was OK to do that.
“When I gave away the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot by double-bogeying the last hole. David Livingstone from Sky Sports caught me on the way to the car – and I was doing the same.
“This could hurt him for a long time if he doesn’t win another major. Can you see him getting into contention at Troon after that? It would be a Herculean effort if he can.
“He’s made it more difficult for himself but he’s a generational talent that we haven’t seen in Europe for forever. He’s got as much talent as Seve had, which is a huge compliment.”
Montgomerie spoke to marvelbet369.com on behalf of Loch Lomond Whisky, the official spirit of The Open. Monty has collaborated with Loch Lomond Whisky to create The Open Special Edition.