Evidence of Rory Mcllroy's exalted status can arrive when you least expect. Ask him, for example, if anyone out of the ordinary got in touch in the aftermath of his excruciating conclusion to the US Open. McIlroy does not disappoint. "Rafa Nadal and Michael Jordan," he says.
"Two of the most unbelievable competitors that have ever been in sport. MJ was maybe the first person to text me after I missed the putt on the 18th but both of them got in touch very, very quickly.
"They just told me to keep going. MJ reminded me of how many game-winning shots he missed. Really nice." Nadal and Jordan can therefore be counted among those who watched through their fingers as McIlroy conceded the third major of the year to Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy bogeyed three of the last four holes at Pinehurst. A fifth major title and first since 2014 had been within his grasp; it slipped in circumstances many feared would define this part of his career.
McIlroy begs to differ and his tone is noticeably upbeat. "Was it a great opportunity to win a major? Absolutely," he says. "It hurt and in the moment it was tough, terrible.
"I'd say people would be surprised to see how quickly I got over it and moved on."
He has looked back on "what I needed to watch" from television coverage.
That means the good and the bad.
None of this is to suggest the 35-year-old denies commentators the right to assess what happened.
Dogs in the street have a view on what McIlroy should have done differently as DeChambeau lurked.
He has just long since conditioned himself not to heed the noise.
"I can't," he says. "I can't pay attention to that.
"Maybe the one drawback from me not talking [to media] afterwards was that you got three weeks of speculation. 'He should have done this, should have done that but we will never know because he didn't say. I trust the people around me. I don't need to go looking for external counsel.
Esta historia es de la edición July 16, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 16, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Scientists develop 'vaccine' to protect bees from pesticides
Scientists have developed a \"vaccine\" for bees against pesticides - and it appears to work, according to an initial study.
Jewish Chronicle IDF inquiry into claims of stories planted for disinformation campaign
The Israel Defense Forces have launched an investigation into allegations in the Israeli media that the London-based Jewish Chronicle published stories based on \"fabricated intelligence\" relating to Hamas, amid claims they may have been planted as part of a disinformation campaign.
'He is far away in Saudi' Ten Hag brushes off Ronaldo's attack over lack of ambition
Erik ten Hag has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo by pointing out that the Portuguese admitted Manchester United are not well placed to win the biggest trophies this season despite criticising the manager for stating the same.
So much about the Ballon d'Or suggests that it does not care about women's football
The release of the Ballon d'Or shortlists naturally focused on the absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the men's top 30 for the first time in 21 years, yet the real glaring omissions were to be found among the awards ceremony's token efforts regarding women's football.
Vaughan and Leach shock Surrey to set up title chase
The County Championship title race has been blown wide open after Somerset snatched a dramatic victory over the leaders, Surrey, with a couple of minutes to spare at Taunton, the champions' stout defensive rearguard toppled after they collapsed from 95 for three to 109 all out in a final hour overflowing with tension.
Pettersen backs Hull to light up the course
But captain causes a surprise by omitting Solheim Cup specialist Maguire from today's opening foursomes
Stellantis halts production of Fiat 500 EV for four weeks due to slowdown in European sales
Stellantis said yesterday it would halt production of the electric Fiat 500 model for four weeks owing to a lack of orders in Europe.
Grangemouth oil refinery to shut and become fuel import terminal with 500 jobs at risk
The owners of the Grangemouth oil refinery confirmed yesterday it would shut by the end of June in a blow to Scotland's industrial base and the site's 500 employees.
Refugees Spanish FC leads town's welcome
They filed on to the football pitch as applause rang out, punctuated by shouts of bienvenidos.
Harris heads to swing states buoyed by debate performance
Kamala Harris embarked on a drive to exploit her strong debate performance yesterday, as the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign pledged to intensify efforts to persuade voters in battleground states deemed essential to winning the White House.
