After being chased down from four shots in front at the Open, Rory McIlroy did a fine job of masking what was undoubtedly soul-crushing disappointment, and remained relatively upbeat in his post-round interview.
He touched on his failure to hole any significant birdie putts all day, which ultimately cost him the Claret Jug, and was magnanimous in defeat as he congratulated and acknowledged Cameron Smith for his sensational final round 64.
Yeah, just disappointment I guess. I had a great opportunity today to add to that major tally and I didn't quite get it done. I didn't feel like I did many things wrong, but the putter went cold on me throughout the round.
I did what I wanted to do. I played a really controlled round of golf. I didn't take advantage of the holes I had been taking advantage of this week.
Both Camerons, but especially Smith, went on a run on the back nine, I had to dig deep to make some birdies and I just couldn't.
I got beaten by the better player this week. To shoot 64 to win an Open Championship at St Andrews is one hell of a showing, so hats off to Cam, he's had an unbelievable week.
"I came a couple short of what I thought I needed"
Rory McIlroy reflects on a disappointing end to his Open Championship this year 👇 pic.twitter.com/tYrH4xfcWI— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 17, 2022
McIlroy has been in his best form since he last won a major in 2014, and it has been a year which has seen him win the Canadian Open and finish in the top-10 of each major.
Speaking with Sky Sports, McIlroy took a positive outlook in regards to his overall showing this week at the Open, and looked ahead to next year's majors.
I sort of expected someone to come from the pack and the two Camerons played really well today and made life difficult for me.
I played a controlled round of golf but when I needed to make birdies at the start of the back nine, I just couldn't.
I tried my hardest obviously but Cam Smith played an unbelievable first two days, got his bad one out of the way yesterday and followed it up with a great round today.
I came up a couple short of what I needed. I thought I needed to get to -20 and I didn't quite get there, so disappointed that I didn't do that but I gave another good account of myself.
I've just got to keep plugging away and keep moving forward.
SEE ALSO: McIlroy Taken Down By Sensational Smith At The Open Championship
