Rory McIlroy – predictably – experienced a letdown following his emotional ending to the 150th Open.
After taking the 54-hole lead, McIlroy shot 70 on the final day and was passed by Cameron Smith on the back nine, denying him of that elusive fifth major at one of golf’s most storied venues.
“That [Sunday] night was tough; the few days after it were OK, I guess,” McIlroy told reporters Wednesday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he’s making his first start since The Open. “It probably took me three or four days to sort of get back to myself again.