But McIlroy revealed he felt like "a sacrificial lamb" after a secret framework agreement between the main US and European tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund was announced in June this year.

However Scheffler struggled to a 73 and McIlroy took full advantage to claim an extraordinary victory, having started the week six shots behind the world No 1 under the handicap scoring system and making a triple bogey on his first hole. The other guys got messages that meant just as much to them." Rory McIlroy says Europe skipper Luke Donald opted to "get all the emotion out of the way" at Monday's team meeting McIlroy's tough schedule eventually caught up with him as he missed the cut at his next two events. First, at the BMW PGA Championship, he opened with an average one-under-par 71 but faded the next day to a 6-over 78. He said that mental fatigue got the better of him and not its physical counterpart. [105] The following week at the Irish Open, McIlroy shot a first-round 80 to lie 9-over and in a tie for last place. The following day he managed a level-par 71 around Royal County Down which left him four shots off the halfway cut. McIlroy stated he had left himself too much to do after a poor Thursday performance in front of his home Northern Irish fans and at the event he now hosts. [106] He later said he was looking forward to a break after five tournaments in a row. [107]Rory McIlroy fluffs chance to win Dubai Desert Classic as water hazard catches him out". Daily Express. 30 January 2022. Stafford, Ali (12 June 2022). "Rory McIlroy holds off Justin Thomas and Tony Finau to defend Canadian Open title". Sky Sports. McIlroy was not about to throw in the towel and holed from 30 feet for birdie on the 15th. He then saved par on the next after flying his second shot over the green from a fairway bunker.

Rory McIlroy Management Services Limited – Overview". ie.globaldatabase.com . Retrieved 23 January 2023. Stafford, Ali (1 August 2021). "Tokyo Olympics: Xander Schauffele wins golf gold as Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey miss out on medals". Sky Sports. It was very up and down. I think I've made 17 birdies which is probably more than enough to contend. You look at the leaders and they are making four or five bogeys through three days but I was up at 12 and then another three bogeys today," he explained. Playing together in the final group, McIlroy and Scheffler both recorded bogeys on the 1st and while Scheffler also dropped shots on the 4th and 6th holes, McIlroy’s birdie on the third and then three more in succession from the 5th gave him a share of the lead. Murray, Ewan (26 September 2016). "Rory McIlroy scoops FedEx Cup glory to give Europe Ryder Cup momentum". The Guardian . Retrieved 28 September 2016.Rory McIlroy wins WGC Match Play by beating Gary Woodland". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015 . Retrieved 15 May 2015.