Rory McIlroy has been told he will win at least two more major championships by his former agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, after the Northern Irishman missed out on the U.S. Open title last Sunday.
McIlroy looked set to finally end his 10-year wait for a major prize at Pinehurst No. 2, having found himself two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau with five holes to play. Three bogeys in his last four holes though - which included two missed putts from close range - ensured it was DeChambeau who came away from North Carolina as champion.
The Northern Irishman's major drought has become one of modern golf's biggest mysteries in recent years, with McIlroy consistently performing as one of the best players on the planet without getting over the line on the big stage.
READ MORE: LIV Golfer Bryson DeChambeau's true character shines through after major disappointment
READ MORE: PGA chief Jay Monahan explains obvious reason for special Tiger Woods rule
LIV Golf 2023 predictions including marquee signings and PGA Tour deadlock
His failings at golf's four majors however have raised questions as to whether his agonising run will ever come to an end. Chandler - who worked with McIlroy when he was crowned U.S. Open champion in 2011 - believes it is matter of when, not if McIlroy clinches major No. 5.
He told Mirror Sport: "He will win another major for sure. Don't forget he is a very good player, he is probably the best hitter out there. If you are that good your day will come. He might fall into one, he might win one by six, but I think he will win two more majors, maybe more."
On the back of his heartbreak on Sunday, McIlroy made a swift exit from the Pinehurst site, opting not to take part in any post-tournament media duties. He then broke his silence on social media a day later, congratulating DeChambeau in a statement and revealing he would be taking a break until he heads to Scotland for next month's Scottish Open and Open Championship.
Rory McIlroy missed out at the U.S. Open on the 18th green after a missed putt (Getty Images)It will prove a tough test for McIlroy to pick himself up and go again following his disappointment at Pinehurst, but Chandler believes the Northern Irishman has the character to return to his best at the final major of the year. "He says he is resilient, and I think he is.
"I think he will come back from that fairly quickly. He has got some fortitude, and I would not be surprised at all if he gets in the mix again... He will be alright, he will come back again. Don't forget, he has had knocks before. Alright this was a big knock, but he will take away from it that he played well, really well.
"He played well in conditions that he does not usually play well in so he will take that as a positive. He will come back and he will be full of it." Chandler also believes that the sympathy and support of the British crowd in his next two events will only help spur McIlroy on.
"The British crowd will feel sorry for him," he added. "So he will have massive support. He gets big support wherever he goes, he is a very popular golfer." McIlroy will now take a three-week break from competition, before he returns to defend his Scottish Open title on July 11, with The Open at Royal Troon taking place one week later.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
